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This week in photos: Jokers in Paris, Israeli backpacker freed, and Prague’s metro nap

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

Photo {{sliderIndex+1}} from 11

Some firefighters with their face painted with the movie character 'Joker' theme, participate in a demonstration against the pension reforms and for better work conditions in Paris, France, January 28

© EPA-EFE/YOAN VALAT

Aboriginal people carry a small fire at the beginning of the Wugulora Indigenous Morning Ceremony as part of Australia Day celebrations in Sydney, Australia, January 26

© AP Photo/Rick Rycroft

Young panda twins 'Meng Yuan' and 'Meng Xiang' explore their enclosure at the Berlin Zoo in Berlin, Germany, January 29

© REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Street artist Kiptoe works on a large mural designed by street artist Levi in tribute to late former Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, USA, January 30. Former US basketball player Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, USA on January 26, 2020. He was 41

© EPA-EFE/ETIENNE LAURENT

Ice dancers Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia perform during the ice dance free dance event at the 2020 European Figure Skating Championships, Graz, Austria, January 25

© Sergei Bobylev/TASS

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with wife Sara and Israeli citizen Naama Issachar with mother Yaffa at Vnukovo International Airport, Moscow, Russia, January 30. Sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on charges of drug smuggling, Issachar was eventually pardoned by Russian president Vladimir Putin

© Gavriil Grigorov/TASS

Chinese children wear plastic bottles as makeshift homemade protection and protective masks while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing airport in Beijing, China, January 30. On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan. On January 7, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV

© Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

The ultrastructural morphology exhibited by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China, is seen in an illustration released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, US, January 29

© Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM/CDC/Handout via REUTERS

Poland's President Andrzej Duda walks along with survivors through the gates of the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp to attend the 75th anniversary of its liberation in Oswiecim, Poland, January 27

© AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski

Students pretend to sleep in sleeping bags in subway as a form of protest in Prague, Czech Republic, January 28. Students of Prague's gymnasium decided to raise awareness on sleep deprivation problems to the general public

© EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK

People attend a ceremony to open an exhibition titled "Salvador Dali. The Magic Art" at the Moscow Manege Central Exhibition Hall, Moscow, Russia, January 27

© Vyacheslav Prokofyev/TASS

French firefighters wearing 'Joker' face paint, Naama Issachar freed in Moscow, students in sleeping bags in Prague subway are among some of the week's developments captured in TASS' photos.

Russia prohibits transferring data about genetic research of Russians abroad

The correspondent amendment to a federal act was initiated by the government

Press review: India to continue buying Russian oil as US amasses major force near Iran

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 20th

Russia should prepare for de-carbonization, carbon tax in advance — Security Council

Dmitry Medvedev noted that it is required to develop a high-precision system for recording of greenhouse gas emission and absorption

Iran designates EU countries’ navies, air forces as terrorist organizations

According to the statement, "based on the principle of reciprocity," the Iranian foreign ministry recognizes and declares "the navies and air forces of all EU member states as terrorist organizations"

French PM postpones cabinet reshuffle due to potential no-confidence resolution

The newspaper anticipated that the cabinet reshuffle will take place no earlier than February 25

Eight types of newest drones introduced in Russia — Rostec

Rostec presented devices of different designs - aircraft, with a vertical takeoff, quadrocopters, multicopters, both with electric motors and internal combustion engines, said CEO Sergey Chemezov

Russia, Madagascar sign joint statement on no first placement of weapons in space

The Russian Foreign Ministry described the initiative as "a significant political factor contributing to the process of ensuring equal and indivisible security for all"

Russia downs five Flamingo long-range missiles, 172 aircraft-type UAVs during day

According to the Defense Ministry, since the beginning of the special military operation, 670 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 115,937 unmanned aerial vehicles

Finland blazes past Slovakia 6-1 for 2026 Olympics bronze in men’s ice hockey

This was the 5th bronze for the Finnish national ice hockey team at the Winter Olympics

Russian diplomat explains why 'regime of silence' around talks on Ukraine is needed

According to Maria Zakharova, attempts to turn a serious process into a show are fraught with disinformation

Positive sentiment dominate Russian stock market over week — VTB

Investors made more purchases than sales

US deploys dozens of military jets to Jordan — newspaper

At least 68 transport jets have landed at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base since Sunday

Ukraine attacks school in Zaporozhye Region for second time in day

Governor Yevgeny Balitsky said that the attack damaged the front of the educational establishment and the surrounding area, and school buses were hit by shrapnel

Russia, Saudi Arabia to continue cooperation in OPEC+ - Kremlin spokesman

The parties agree that our countries shoulder an enormous responsibility for cooperation so as to support the international energy market, says Dmitry Peskov

US looks into possibility of targeting individual leaders in Iran — Reuters

No details on who will be viewed as a target are available

Russia still views Switzerland as not neutral — ambassador

Sergey Garmonin emphasized that Bern’s policy toward Moscow remained unfriendly

Russian military specialists train over 1,000 personnel for Tajikistani army

Hungary blocks EU's 90-billion-euro aid package for Ukraine — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto says the decision will remain in force until Ukraine restarts Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline

Russia working with range of countries on payment systems independent from SWIFT

Alternative routes will be found to make the global economy more stable, more predictable, Putin stressed

Google's foreclosed Russian debts exceed 26.3 billion rubles

The court and other materials reviewed by TASS say that 58 enforcement proceedings were opened against the company

OPEC+ actions may soon bring oil prices back to $80 per barrel — experts

According to Dmitry Skryabin, future prices will be affected by the reaction of the US Federal Reserve and its possible rate cut, the situation with financial and economic stimulus in China, as well as the reaction of OPEC+

Russia’s Gonets satellite system serves as example of successful conversion

The system was created after upgrading special-purpose communications satellites for civilian use

Press review: Global response to Kerch standoff and EU joins Russia for SWIFT alternative

Top stories in the Russian press on Wednesday

Canada wins gold in men’s curling at 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy

In the final, the Canadians defeated the British national team

Russian troops liberate eight communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,310 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Snowmageddon in Moscow: nearly three feet of snow on ground

According to the World Meteorological Organization, Moscow’s Vnukovo district was one of the snowiest places on Earth in the last 24 hours

Qamishli airport comes under control of Syrian Civil Aviation Authority

The head of the authority Omar al-Hosari also added that work on restoring the airport in Deir ez-Zor is continuing at an accelerated pace

US intelligence agencies plan to use AI against undesirable countries

Sergey Naryshkin noted that this could become a very serious problem for all mankind

Seven dead in Lake Baikal tourist vehicle tragedy — Emergencies Ministry

Rescuers conducted a survey using an underwater camera

Russian Railways developed quantum communications roadmap

The roadmap comprises development of nine priority technologies and fifteen products by 2024 along with over 35 key performance indicators

West makes destabilizing false comments on Russia’s position in Ukraine talks — Zakharova

One way or another, of course, the opponents did not abandon some of this information noise, but in any case, at least they managed to do without these installations turning into performances, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman said

Lavrov offers condolences to Wang Yi over death of Chinese tourists in Lake Baikal

Russian Foreign Minister stressed that relevant Russian agencies are conducting a full-scale investigation of the incident and promised to inform Beijing about its results immediately

No Western partner withdraws from Rosneft projects amid sanctions

All the Russian oil giant's projects linked to the participation of Western partners are underway in a normal regime in line with the schedule approved by both sides

Russia thankful to Trump for efforts on peaceful settlement in Ukraine — Kremlin

"We are ready to welcome any country’s efforts," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted

Russian court rejects motion on overturning ex-Ukrainian pilot’s arrest ruling

The prosecutor earlier asked the court to extend Nadezhda Savchenko’s custody by six months

Adding Khrunichev Center to EU sanctions package has not affected its work — CEO

Alexey Varochko noted that foreign customers are more interested in cooperation, since there is a shortage of launch capacities on the market, which has become especially acute with the emergence of low-orbit satellite constellations

Kiev troops bombard Donetsk People’s Republic two times over past day

There were no reports on casualties among civilians

Russian diplomat says US missile defense in South Korea won't help solve nuclear problem

According to Russian Ambassador to Seoul Alexander Timonin, the approaches of Russia and China to the nuclear problem issue of North Korea are almost identical

Russia’s Petrosyan finishes 6th in women’s figure skating at 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy

US' Alysa Liu won the gold in women’s singles

No prejudice against Russian figure skaters at Olympics — Sikharulidze

Adeliia Petrosian and Petr Gumennik performed as if these four years of absence from the international arena had never happened, the President of the Russian Figure Skating Federation said

Russian Naval Aviation celebrates 100th anniversary

"Combat operations of the marine aviation were notable for unwavering resilience and courage, high combat activity and expertise," the Commander-in-Chief said in a congratulating telegram

Russia develops manipulator for drones collecting soil samples

The device equipped with a drill, actuators and sensors, is managed by a microcontroller

Kiev can receive information posted on Telegram — FSB

The spokesperson said that the use of Telegram by the Russian army in the area of a special military operation in the last three months threatened the lives of military personnel

BRICS strengthening may reshape foundations of global trade — Brazilian president

According to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, his country will advocate principles of multilateralism in global trade and will not revise its relations with priority partners

Russia, IAEA discussing terms of local ceasefire to repair ZNPP’s backup power line

Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev recalled that electricity for the nuclear power facility’s needs is supplied by high-voltage transmission lines and if any of them is shut down, this will seriously impact electricity supplies safety

Times calls Russian participation in 2028 Olympic Games under national flag inevitable

Journalist Owen Slot said that the admission of Russian paralympians to the Games in Italy under the national flag and with the anthem was the first significant step towards the return of Russian athletes to the international sports family

Russian diplomat slams 'absurd' reason for UK Foreign Secretary cancelling visit

"This cancellation of the visit followed its recent postponing," spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry said

US, allies to be unable to dislodge Assad, says ambassador

"There should be no illusions in this respect," Vasily Nebenzya said

Kiev spends electricity not on people’s needs, but on drone production — ex-PM Azarov

He also said that the authorities continue to export electricity

China set to buy two air tankers from Russia — minister

It is noted that China is also interested in training crews for such airplanes

Russia hits 112 Islamic State targets in Syria — defense minister

Defense Minister said the Russian aerospace forces had "destroyed "19 command posts, 12 ammunition caches, 71 military hardware pieces and six explosive device making facilities"

Russia promises retaliation if South Korea joins PURL initiative on Ukraine

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that Moscow was surprised to hear reports about possible Seoul's participation in this program, since such steps would be at odds with the country's official line of non-participation in the efforts of the collective West to pump weapons and ammunition into the Ukrainian army

Slovakia ready to suspend electricity supplies to Ukraine on February 23 — PM

To avoid It Kiev must resume oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, Robert Fico said

Upgraded Khrizantema-M antitank missile accelerates to hypersonic speed — Rostec

According to the holding company representative, this missile is being used in the special military operation zone in Ukraine

Ukrainian conflict moves towards settlement — Russia’s charge d’affaires in US

In ensuring that children all over the world sleep peacefully because the great powers keep in touch in the form of a professional dialogue, Andrey Ledenyov said

Russia 'not wasting time' trying to predict when Ukraine conflict may end — Lavrov

The foreign minister stressed that Russia has clear objectives and will work toward them, regardless of any predictions about when the conflict may conclude

Rosneft chief: Oil production in Russia may reach 700 million tons annually

Europe remains the key consumer of oil for Russia, state oil company Rosneft chief Igor Sechin notes

Logging in Russia down 10% annually in 2025 — Segezha Group

The volume of logging will not be above 176 mln cubic meters, which is 20-30% below the average metrics for the last decade," Executive Board Member Nikolay Ivanov said

Hainan plays increasingly important role in global supply chains — newspaper

According to the report, the province's authorities and business leaders frequently receive delegations from different regions of China to negotiate agreements that strengthen cooperation

Merz says will travel to US with EU’s agreed position to discuss tariffs

According to Merz, his talks with the US president will be preceded by consultations with the European Union to elaborate "an absolutely clear European position"

Kiev suggests EU use Odessa-Brody oil pipeline instead of Druzhba

This logistics could be organized either through the Ukrainian oil transportation system or by sea with the ensuing transshipment at seaports and transportation via the Odessa-Brody oil pipeline further to the member states of the European Union

Russia failed to find alternative to western capital markets in the east — Sberbank CEO

There is no alternative to western capital markets in the nearest years

Gazprom intends to supply China only with own gas from Sakhalin — CEO

Earlier, head of Russian oil giant Rosneft Igor Sechin spoke about the company's ambitions to supply gas to China

Western coalition withdrawing troops from military base in Syria’s al-Hasakah governorate

On February 12, the Western coalition withdrew its troops from the Al-Tanf base at the junction of the borders of Syria, Iraq, and Jordan, which made it possible to control of the strategic Damascus-Baghdad highway

Russian General Staff uses analytics to counter Ukrainian strikes deep into Russia

Colonel General Sergey Rudskoy noted that the Main Operations Directorate is directly involved in developing and implementing a set of measures to enhance air defense capabilities

Generals Moskalik, Sarvarov killed in Kiev regime’s terrorist attacks — General Staff

Colonel General Sergei Rudskoy noted that with the deaths of the generals, the troops "lost true professionals, loyal comrades, and true patriots"

Protesters tried to attack Azerbaijani president’s car in Washington — embassy

The Presidential Security Service had no choice but to immediately intervene, since any attempt to obstruct or physically interfere with a protected vehicle carrying the head of state constitutes a serious security concern

Russian MP slams 20th package of EU sanctions as declaration of ‘tanker war’

According to Leonid Slutsky, these sanctions will further marginalize Europe in global politics and exclude any possibility of the European Union’s participation in negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement

Putin for right of employment for immigrants with study visas

“I do assure you that I will give an instruction to my colleagues in the Presidential Administration and in the government” the president said

New Delhi boosts security over terrorist threat information — agency

Field engineers, dog training units and rapid reaction groups were put on alert in strategically important locations, PTI news agency reported

Ukraine loses over 520,000 troops in 2025 — Russian General Staff

Sergey Rudskoy says total loss of Ukrainian servicemen is estimated at more than 1,5 million

US to strengthen tariff policy after Supreme Court’s decision — White House

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the administration's use of import duties under the pretext of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act is an abuse of power

Russia’s retail trade turnover rises by 12.3% in February

According to Rosstat, online sales of large and medium-sized companies in February increased by 2.6% compared to January 2024, and by 41.9% compared to February last year

Removing Kiev regime must be discussed with US — politician

Аormer Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov emphasized that, in the long term, the Ukrainian people are primarily interested in removing the Kiev Nazi regime

Ukraine postpones restart of oil supplies to Slovakia until February 24

Russian oil supplies to Hungary over the Druzhba oil pipeline via Ukraine were halted since early February

Hungary blocks amendments to EU budget not to give Ukraine €90 billion loan

However, for this system to function, it is necessary to change the budget rules in the seven-year EU budget, Hungarian Minister for EU Affairs Janos Boca said

Foreign mercenaries of Ukrainian army fight Russia near Raigorodka

According to an officer of the department for joint training and interaction with the armed forces of the organizational and planning department of the Moscow military district combat training directorate, they heard English and Georgian, but did not communicate personally

Trump raises tariffs from 10% to 15% worldwide

On Friday, Trump signed an executive order imposing 10% tariffs on imports from all countries

UK journalist slams Western interpretation of Ukraine conflict causes as ‘ridiculous’

Frank Wright criticized the policies that use culture, the media, and legislative mechanisms to promote the conflict

Military service beginning to be perceived as shameful in Ukraine — battalion commander

Ukraine's general mobilization has been repeatedly extended since February 2022

Nord Stream gas pipelines may resume work with US participation — daily

Washington hopes to expand its control over the energy infrastructure in the region, the newspaper said

Child present among Chinese tourists who died on Lake Baikal

Seven bodies have been located using an underwater camera

Moscow says UN registers systemic human rights violations in Ukraine

The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the conclusions about Kiev’s discriminatory policy against Ukrainian citizens residing in Donbass

End of diesel fuel supplies from Hungary, Slovakia makes Ukraine desperate — ex-PM Azarov

On February 18, Hungary and Slovakia, without waiting for Brussels' actions in response to Ukraine's blocking of the oil supplies, terminated diesel fuel sales to Kiev

Putin slams new restrictions on Cuba as 'unacceptable'

The Russian president stressed that Moscow's position is unambiguous

Europe lost right to sit at Ukraine table with Moscow betrayal — Russian Foreign Ministry

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Europe needs to earn back trust and learn to keep its word, especially with regard to certain norms, rules and laws

US terminates number of tariffs following Supreme Court ruling — White House

In particular, the tariff on products from 185 countries and territories imposed in April 2025 shall no longer be applied

Former Russian PM points to serious rifts in relations between EU nations

As an example, Sergey Stepashin cited the situation in Germany

US weighs on assassination attempt on Iran's supreme leader, his son — news outlet

The sources cited by Axios say that Iran may be allowed ‘token’ nuclear enrichment

Man, three-year-old child wounded in Ukrainian drone attack in Belgorod Region

The man and the three-year-old girl were taken to a hospital with mine-blast traumas and shrapnel wounds

Hungary will provide Ukraine with no support as long as it is blocking oil transit — Orban

Supplies of Russian oil to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline across Ukraine were suspended in late January

Kiev calls on Hungary, Slovakia for dialogue amid threats to halt electricity supplies

Meanwhile, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also warned that his country’s government would halt electricity supplies to Ukraine from February 23 if Ukraine doesn’t resume oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline

US admitted knowledge of Nord Streams terrorist attacks by Spiegel publication — ex-PM

According to Nikolay Azarov, such an operation, which certainly came to the attention of the intelligence services of the NATO countries and the alliance itself, "simply could not have happened without the knowledge of the United States."

Epstein’s files mention Zelensky in connection with human trafficking from Ukraine

Vladimir Zelensky appears in Epstein's files several dozen times, most prominently in connection with the Jean-Luc Brunel case

Warplanes of Russian aircraft carrier to be used in Syria Oct-Jan — source

During the voyage the Admiral Kuznetsov "will have about 15 fighters Su-33 and MiG-29K/KUB and more than ten helicopters Ka-52K, Ka-27 and Ka-31"

Orban: Hungary knows for sure that Druzhba pipeline is technically ready for operation

Hungarian Prime Minister stressed that attempts to damage the energy security of Hungary and Slovakia - two members of the European Union - run counter to the existing agreements between Ukraine and the EU

Burberry extends rights to three trademarks in Russia for 10 years

Trademarks are registered under 4, 8, 9, 11, 16, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28 and 41 classes of the International Classification of Goods and Services

Venezuela rejects extension of US sanctions, calls for mutually beneficial relations

According to the statement, eleven years after this order came into effect, the reality proves that designating Venezuela as a threat to the United States is completely untrue

Threat to book depository of Russia's main social sciences library eliminated

Fire that broke out in the depository on Friday night kept flaring for almost 24 hours

Orban: Hungary may stop supplying electricity to Ukraine

Hungarian Prime Minister said that in response to Ukraine’s hostile actions Hungary stopped supplying diesel fuel there and blocked a 90 billion euro "military loan" of the European Union