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Cherry blossoms bloom amid coronavirus lockdown

This year cherry blossom-themed events are being cancelled across the globe as authorities in different countries are working to slow the spread of the coronavirus

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A woman in a protective mask taking a selfie among blooming cherry trees in Kungstradgarden park in Stockholm, Sweden

© EPA-EFE/Jessica Gow

Visitors in masks strolling under cherry blossoms at Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan. Authorities asked visitors to not hold 'hanami' (or blossom viewing) parties to limit the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus

© EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

People visiting the cherry blossom trees in full bloom at the tidal basin in Washington, USA. The trees are in full bloom this week and would traditionally draw large crowds

© AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

A woman in a face mask walking under a blooming tree in Kiev, Ukraine

© AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky

Visitors wearing face masks walk under cherry blossoms at Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan

© AP Photo/Koji Sasahara

Women in protective face masks taking photos of flowers blooming in Beijing, China

© AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

A family reflected in a puddle under cherry blossom trees in full bloom along the tidal basin in Washington, USA

© AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Visitors are few at the start of the annual cherry blossom bloom on the Tidal Basin in Washington, USA

© EPA-EFE/JIM LO SCALZO

Cherry blossoms blooming over Meguro-gawa River in Tokyo, Japan

© AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato

A woman pushing a child on a pram across from cherry blossoms at the Yuyuantan Park in Beijing, China

© AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

The Cherry blossom season kicked off in many locations around the world. This year, though, cherry blossom-themed events are being cancelled across the globe as authorities in different countries are working to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Even while social distancing and quarantines become the norm, spring weather is enticing those fond of the outdoors but much fewer than in previous years. Take a look at the spectacular cherry trees that are presently blooming.

Putin to traditionally attend Christmas service — Kremlin

The Kremlin official noted that additional details will be provided later

Moldova offered no help to Transnistria in resolving energy crisis, president says

He pointed out that, previously, the authorities of Transnistria have repeatedly asked Moldova to reject economic pressure measures

Several groups of Ukrainian soldiers ambushed in southern DPR — sniper

According to the Russian serviceman, four troops were captured and the rest retreated

Blinken doesn’t believe US, Russia close to direct conflict with each other

According to US Secretary of State, Americans don’t want the United States to engage in wars

Press review: US, Israel aim to curb Turkey’s gains while Moscow, Tehran strengthen ties

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 24th

Russia urges Israel to end Gaza hostilities immediately at UNSC meeting

Russia’s Representative at the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya noted that Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian enclave and attacks had caused a humanitarian crisis, damage to medical infrastructure and mass displacements

Fishing boat overturned in Japan — TV

Seventeen crewmembers were managed to be found during the rescue operation, with two of them died, NHK said

Amman, Ankara coordinate efforts on repatriation of refugees to Syria — Foreign Minister

He noted that Jordan and Turkey as Syria’s neighboring states welcome the transitional political process in the Arab republic and would like to see stability restored there

Lavrov to hold big press conference on January 14 — Russian Foreign Ministry

The conference will be on the results of 2024

FIB hopes new IOC president will help Russian teams return to international tournaments

The IOC’s tenth president will be elected at an upcoming session scheduled to be held in Greece in March 2025

Putin shows initialed draft agreement with Ukraine to African leaders

"This draft agreement was initialed by the head of the Kiev negotiation team. He put his signature there. Here it is," the Russian president said

Ukrainian drone attacks Zaporozhye NPP center housing world’s only reactor hall simulator

The press service of the ZNPP noted that Ukrainian attacks at the nuclear facility were in direct violation of the principles of nuclear safety established by the International Atomic Energy Agency

Russia says its Su-34 jet launched glide bombs at Ukrainian strongpoint in Kursk Region

Upon receiving confirmation from reconnaissance personnel that the Ukrainian manpower and strongpoint were destroyed, the crew safely returned to the airfield of departure

US commercial satellites surveyed Russia’s Engels airstrip ahead of Kiev’s strike attempt

Earlier, it was reported that, on Monday morning, Kiev attempted to strike the two airstrips with Soviet-made jet drones in order to disable Russian long-range aviation planes

Liege court to consider whether EC President is immune to corruption charges

The court hearing on January 6 will be held upon an address of the EU office of prosecutor

Europe must be punished, US ignored after hybrid war between West, Russia — Medvedev

According to the politician, Europe "became the primary stronghold of Russophobia globally," undermined the Istanbul agreements, initiated the sanctions campaign, and fueled the most extreme war factions without considering the losses suffered by both sides of the conflict

Press review: Mutiny trips West’s nuclear alarms and Kiev’s terror talk hides attack plans

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, June 27th

FACTBOX: What is known about Ukrainian drone attack on Russian reporters in DPR

TASS has assembled the main information about the incident

Biden confirms that he views Trump’s action during Capitol attack as threat to democracy

"I think what he did was a genuine threat to democracy, and I’m hopeful that we’re beyond it," incumbent US president said

Russian troops liberate LPR’s Nadiya settlement — top brass

Russian servicemen have also hit the infrastructure of Ukrainian military airfields, an assembly shop and a storage site for attack drones, as well as Ukraine’s manpower and military equipment in 132 areas over the day, the Defense Ministry said

Two more oil spills detected off Anapa, Crimea in Russia's Black Sea waters

The Marine Rescue Service has started to collect the oily mixture, the Russian Emergencies Ministry said

Hamas yet to give list of hostages to be released, Israeli PM’s adviser tells TASS

"Israel has not received any names of abducted citizens at the [resumed] negotiations," the Israeli prime minister’s adviser Dmitri Gendelman said

UK to send 2,600 troops, 730 vehicles to NATO drills in Bulgaria, Romania

According to the ministry, the UK military "will be in command of all of NATO’s land forces in the exercise

Ukrainian forces partially pushed back from Kurakhovo power plant in DPR

Combat for the plant’s administrative building is underway.

Russian forces carry out strikes on Ukrainian military airfield infrastructure

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the strikes have been carried out in 137 districts

World's oldest verified living person dies in Japan at 116

Now the oldest person in the world is 116-year-old Brazilian citizen Inah Canabarro Lucas

CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

UN Secretary General's office reacts to attack on Russian reporters in DPR

The UN opposes any attacks on journalists, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General, Farhan Haq

Situation at Zaporozhye NPP under full control in terms of nuclear technology — Rosatom

Director General of Russia nuclear corporation Rosatom Alexey Likhachev noted that despite the ongoing shelling of both the coastline and the territory of the nuclear power plant, the city of Energodar is being revived

Pentagon mum on F-16 fighter jet downed in Zaporozhye Region

The US Department of Defense "has no statement or information to provide," a department’s spokesperson said

Russia strikes Ukraine’s military-industrial sector, mercenaries’ sites over week

Russian air defenses down Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet, 559 UAVs over week

Nuke plant in Russia’s Voronezh region operating normally in wake of drone attack attempt

The conditions for safe operation of power units of the Novovoronezhskaya NPP have not been violated

Russian Armed Forces destroy over 8,000 Ukrainian soldiers over week in LPR

Battlegroup West units thwarted 35 counterattacks of the adversary from December 28, 2024 to January 3, 2025, defense expert Andrey Marochko said

Taiwan registers 7 Chinese aircraft, 7 ships approaching island

7 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m.

Zelensky uses foul language, blames West for not providing help

In his opinions, Western partners were to attempt to "intimidate" Moscow by sanctions and arms supplies to Kiev even before February 24, 2022

US may face bankruptcy if situation with national debt does not change — Musk

The US national debt for the first time climbed above $36 trillion on November 15

Russia says Ukraine lost more than 540 troops, 4 tanks in Kursk area over past day

Since the beginning of hostilities in the Kursk Region, the enemy has lost more than 47,810 troops, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Air defenses take down Ukrainian projectile in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

Russian units have repelled two Ukrainian counterattacks over 24 hours

US is now at war with Russia, Ritter says

According to former US intelligence officer Scott Ritter, the United States "is a direct party to the invasion and occupation of Russian soil," because it helped Kiev plan its incursion into the Kursk Region

Ukrainian projectile shot down over Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

On the morning of January 6, the regional headquarters reported a Ukrainian projectile shot down in the skies over the Kursk Region

German MP Kiesewetter removes post that suggested Scholz-Putin meeting may be coming soon

Scholz himself dismissed Kiesewetter’s claims as "untrue" and "extremely indecent"

Russian radio technical troops detected, tracked over 2 mln aerial objects in 2024

These include more than 600,000 foreign aircraft

Russian troops advance near Krasnoarmeysk highway in DPR — security forces

The security forces added that only a little more than two kilometers remain before the road is completely under Russian control

Russia to travel to Iran, UAE, Egypt on BRICS educational mission in 2025

According to Diana Kovela from the BRICS Youth Council, the need to travel across BRICS countries on an educational mission was formulated in the Kazan Declaration following the group's latest summit

Gas supplies to household consumers suspended in Transnistria

The authorities in both Moldova and Transnistria have declared emergencies

North Korea made first missile launch this year — Japan Coast Guard

This is the first missile launch by Pyongyang this year

Russian Navy put in service about 30 ships, submarines in 2024, commander says

According to the Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, reinforcements of more ships and weapons will keep coming in 2025

Death toll among journalists in Gaza climbs to 220 — Al Jazeera

The TV channel cited a statement from the Gaza Ministry of Health that Hijazi was among nearly 90 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across the embattled enclave over the weekend

Venezuelan parliament invites Maduro to assume third presidential term

The inauguration and taking of the oath will take place at noon at the Federal Legislative Palace

More than thirty died dolphins found after tankers shipwreck in Kerch Strait

The condition of corpses may evidence that the majority of detected cetaceans died during the first ten days after the emergency with tankers

Experts note growth of Russians’ demand for air tickets to China, Japan in 2024

Vietnam was also popular in 2024

Israel awaits Hamas’ nod to conclude hostage deal — TV

According to Israel’s Channel 12, one of the main obstacles to concluding the deal is Hamas’ refusal to name the hostages to be released during the first stage

All Ukrainian ATACMS missiles fired at Belgorod Region downed — top brass

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian servicemen will retaliate against these actions of the Kiev regime supported by Western curators

Press review: Putin discusses EU gas supplies and Russia open to Ukraine talks with Trump

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 27th

Russian forces liberate village of Dachenskoye in DPR

The ministry specified that the adversary has lost up to 535 troops

Putin to traditionally attend Christmas service — Kremlin

The Kremlin official noted that additional details will be provided later

Air defense takes down drone over Russia’s borderline Bryansk Region

According to the governor, this was a second drone shot down on Monday

Germany’s Scholz dismisses plans to meet with Putin as untrue

Scholz said he would hold another phone conversation with Putin only when he has confidence that 'it will make any use'

Missile launched by North Korea traveled about 1,100 km, Seoul says

As reported earlier, the missile was launched from Pyongyang in the direction of the Sea of Japan about noon local time

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

Russian air force takes down Ukrainian MiG-29 — top brass

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, it was taken down by combat aviation

US ‘quietly’ supplied weapons to Ukraine before Russia’s operation started, Blinken says

Washington supplied "things like Stingers, Javelins", US Secretary of State said

Israeli air force attacks over 100 military targets in Gaza Strip

According to IDF, over the weekend, Hamas fired a number of projectiles from the Gaza Strip toward Israeli territory

Russia’ special operation has every chance to reach Transnistria — French expert

Regis Chamagne added that Ukrainian men were now being chased on the streets and sent to fight 'as cannon fodder'

Russian agency investigates causes of engine failure in Ural Airlines A321 jet in Egypt

According to the statement, the investigation will comply with the Russian rules of investigating air accidents

Poll reveals what Russians think about office love, polyamory

It is noted that opinions are changing not only about relationships with colleagues, but also about romance between a subordinate and a supervisor

Houthis claim launching hypersonic missile at Israeli power plant

Acccording to movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saree, Ansar Allah have delivered a strike on Orot Rabin

Putin’s contacts with Russia’s friends, including Vucic, promptly coordinated — Kremlin

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said earlier that the US will soon prepare sanctions against NIS and that he plans to send a request for a conversation with the Russian president for January 25-27

Ukraine may lose Odessa and access to Black Sea if it refuses to negotiate — Musk

"It was a tragic waste of life for Ukraine to attack a larger army that had defense in depth, minefields and stronger artillery," american entrepreneur said

Russian MFA comments on Blinken’s remarks about Ukraine

Russia has been talking about including supplies of US and UK weapons to Ukraine for many years, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

South Korean police receives right to arrest president

The warrant expires on January 6

Russian passenger plane make emergency landing at Sharm El Sheikh

There were 236 passengers aboard

Number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 2023 surpasses 45,800

The local Health Ministry agency also insisted that, over the past 24 hours, 88 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes on the embattled enclave while 208 have been injured

Rosatom to build Europe’s safest nuclear power plant in Hungary – CEO

The company is about to pour first concrete as part of the construction, the Russian company’s Director General Alexey Likhachev said

Russia’s freshly launched satellite transmits images of US, China, UAE

Data obtained from satellites in the Resurs-P series are used to study natural resources and monitor pollution and environmental degradation, water protection areas and natural reserves

No current plans for Putin’s meeting with Scholz, Trump — Kremlin

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has refuted the claims of German Bundestag Roderich Kiesewetter

Decision to allow use of long-range weapons against Russia is ‘insane’ — Maduro

"The American imperialism has entered a phase of madness and revenge," the Venezuelan president noted

US creating NATO bases in Ukraine under guise of training centers — Belarusian president

"Unfortunately, the Ukrainian authorities don't care a bit about their own people and they don't hear our concerns," Alexander Lukashenko noted

Over 15,000 Ukrainian troops engaged in Kurakhovo, says Russian top brass

Control over Kurakhovo hinders supplies to Ukrainian troops

Kiev ready to conflict settlement talks in late January

Secondly - Europe, then the talk with Russians can take place, Vladimir Zelensky said

Ukrainian projectile eliminated over Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said that 12 unmanned aerial vehicles had been shot down over Russian regions, including seven drones over the Kursk Region

Four Ukrainian drones wiped out over Kursk, Belgorod regions

"Two drones each have been downed over the Belgorod and Kursk regions," the ministry said in a statement.

North Korea probably launched intermediate-range missile — news agency

The launch was from the Pyongyang area towards the Sea of Japan, according to South Korea

At least 66 Palestinians killed in Israeli army attacks on Gaza — Al Jazeera

Israeli forces carried out 30 attacks across the Gaza Strip on Saturday

Almost ruled out: experts on Nord Stream 2 pipeline’s launch during Trump’s presidency

According to Alexey Belogoryev, Research Director at the Institute for Energy and Finance Foundation, the relaunch of the Nord Stream gas pipeline is much easier to do than it was with its initial putting into operation

Russian Tsar’s daughter might have escaped 1918 execution

Leading Russian historian says there is evidence that Grad Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna might have escaped execution in 1918, lived up to 83 years and died in the US under the surname of Manahan

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

FACTBOX: New Year’s key traditions reviewed

Russia has celebrated New Year and Christmas with decorated fir trees since Peter the Great’s reign

Press review: EU preps for gas cuts via Ukraine as China boosts naval and air power

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, December 28th

Diplomat calls on top German diplomat to stop speculating about Russian bases in Syria

Commenting on the top German diplomat’s statement that Russia should refuse from having military bases in Syria, Maria Zakharova noted

Congress to approve Trump’s victory at presidential election

Incumbent President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump will not attend the meeting

German legislator calls for launching Nord Stream, as gas flow through Ukraine runs dry

"By stopping the flow of Russian gas to Europe, Ukraine is pushing energy prices even higher," Bundestag member Sevim Dagdelen said

Moscow demands UNESCO to respond to murder of Russian journalists — MFA

Zakharova recalled that on January 4, as a result of a targeted drone attack by militants of the Kiev regime, Izvestia freelance correspondent Alexander Martemyanov was killed

Arrest warrant against Korean President to be extended — news agency

"We are thinking of writing an application to court for extension of the arrest warrant today. We plan to listen to the position of the National Office of Investigation and submit the application," the agency said, citing high-ranking CIO official

Russia manages situation in Ukraine, while West in big trouble — US political scientist

According to John Mearsheimer, Russia has become much stronger over the past two to three years because it has managed to become "a truly sovereign country"

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

Mi-28NM helicopter thwarts rotation of Ukrainian troops in Kursk border area

The department noted that the army aviation pilots destroyed armored vehicles and personnel of the Ukrainian troops

Russian company picks up pace in nuclear submarine production, CEO says

According to Mikhail Budnichenko, over the past 20 years, Sevmash has been able to restore cooperation ties that were ruined in the 1990s, revive old technologies and create new unparalleled ones

Moscow says shelling of Kramatorsk by Ukraine confirms Russian operation is justified

The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed confidence that Kiev won’t be able to evade responsibility for the shelling of civilians in Kramatorsk

Hamas agrees to free 34 hostages during first stage of deal with Israel — TV

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that the list was not prepared by Hamas but handed over by Israel last summer