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This week in photos: Deserted Moscow, masked matrimony, and Spiderman self-isolates

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

Photo {{sliderIndex+1}} from 13

The Kelpies horse sculpture in Falkirk lit up in blue as a tribute to honor the National Health System (NHS) and care-workers, in Falkirk, Scotland, March 30. According to news reports, the 30-meters high horse sculptures will be illuminated in blue for the whole period of the COVID-19 crisis

© EPA-EFE/ROBERT PERRY

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia reading the Great Canon of Repentance by Saint Andrew of Crete and the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt during a morning prayer at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow, Russia, April 1

© Gavriil Grigorov/TASS

A view of the unusually empty embankment during evening rush hour outside the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, April 1. The Russian capital has woken up to a lockdown obliging most people in the city of 13 million to stay home

© AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin

Law enforcement officers and employees of the Russian Emergencies Ministry holding placards urging people to stay home amid the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in the town of Minusinsk, Russia, March 30

© Russian Interior Ministry Press Service/TASS

A herd of goats walking the quiet streets in Llandudno, Wales, March 31. A group of goats have been spotted walking around the deserted streets of the seaside town during the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus

© Pete Byrne/PA via AP

US President Donald Trump salutes the crew of the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort at Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, USA, March 28

© REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

A couple attending their wedding ceremony in Hong Kong, China, March 29

© Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

A dog peeks out as a Taco Bell employee delivers an order to a customer at the drive-up window of the restaurant in Hollywood, USA, March 31

© Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and Russia’s ambassador Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov touching their elbows while wearing masks due to COVID-19 pandemic, at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, March 30

© Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS

Jason Baird is seen dressed as Spiderman during his daily exercise to cheer up local children, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Stockport, Britain, April 1

© REUTERS/Phil Noble

Ukrainian lawmakers wearing face masks to protect against coronavirus attend an extraordinary parliamentary session in Kiev, Ukraine, March 30. Ukraine has been under quarantine since March 12

Cemetery workers in protective clothing bury a person at the Vila Formosa cemetery in Sao Paulo, Brazil, April 1, 2020. Vila Formosa cemetery, the largest in Latin America, has had a 30 percent increase in the number of burials amid spread of the new coronavirus, according to the cemetery's administration

© AP Photo/Andre Penner

Lions peering out of their sleeping quarters at the family-owned Billabong Zoo, which was forced to close to the public due to coronavirus, in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia, March 30

© EPA-EFE/NATHAN EDWARDS

Eerie empty Moscow streets, masked wedding ceremony in Hong Kong, and Spiderman delighting families in lockdown are among some of the developments captured in this week's photos.

Military operation in Ukraine

Exhibition of captured NATO military hardware kicks off in Moscow

In all, there are 32 items

Over 140 people detained at Istanbul rally for resisting police — TV

Local authorities banned any May Day rallies of trade unions and political parties blocking off the square and engaging over 42,000 police officers to ensure security

Russia’s Battlegroup East improves positions in DPR, hits roughly 100 Ukrainian troops

Ukrainians lost two pickup trucks and two US-made 155mm M777 howitzers

Police using tear gas against protesters in Tbilisi

Police are trying to push the protesters off the building

Ties between China, Argentina shouldn’t be influenced by other nations — Chinese minister

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing and Buenos Aires should pursue an independent foreign policy, eliminate external interference and support each other to accelerate the economic development of both countries

Israeli Air Force strikes Hezbollah outposts in southern Lebanon

The airstrikes followed an ambush of a military vehicle between the Israeli settlements of Yiftah and Ramot Naftali, Al Mayadeen television reported

Kremlin announces creation of blockchain-based payment system in BRICS

Work will continue to develop the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, primarily regarding the use of currencies different from the US dollar," the Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov pointed out

Russia, Turkey to hold consultations on issues on UN agenda — Russian foreign ministry

It will be another round of bilateral consultations, a Russian foreign ministry official said

Serbia sees China as reliable ally — candidate for premiership

Vucevic expressed the certainty that the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to Belgrade "will mark a new stage in the development of the firm friendship between Serbia and China"

Jordan condemns Israeli settlers’ attacks on humanitarian aid convoys

Sufyan Quda emphasized, "despite the provocation, the convoys delivered humanitarian supplies to the Palestinian enclave, given the threat of starvation looming over them"

Mexico buys 30 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft from Russia — ambassador

According to the Ministry of Economy of Mexico, in 2014 the volume of trade between Mexico and Russia amounted to $1.78 billion

Panic on frontline growing on Ukrainian side — Kremlin

Russia must support the current dynamics in the special military operation zone, Dmitry Peskov said

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace ten times in past day

Three pairs of the coalition’s F-15 fighter jets and two pairs of A-10 Thunderbolt attack bombers violated airspace in the al-Tanf area

Mortar gunners destroy about ten Ukrainian servicemen

Russian fighters occupied better positions owing to accurate mortar fire and concerted action

Voter turnout in Russian presidential election beats 2018 record

Total voter turnout in the 2018 presidential election stood at 67.54%

Economic Development Ministry revises Russian GDP growth forecast for 2024 up to 2.8%

Minister Maxim Reshetnikov pointed out that domestic consumer and investment demand remain the main growth factor

Iran authorizes 130 IAEA inspectors — AEOI chief

Mohammad Eslami emphasized the continuous interaction and dialogue between Iran and the IAEA under the comprehensive safeguards agreement

Russia’s UN envoy calls on UNSC to prevent conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Vasily Nebenzya said that the situation in the country was getting worse

Exhibition of captured NATO military hardware kicks off in Moscow

In all, there are 32 items

Three drones taken down over Russia’s Voronezh Region overnight — governor

Three private residences had been damaged by the falling debris and residents will be compensated

Conflict in Ukraine may develop into nuclear war, top Hungarian diplomat warns

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto recalled that after the outbreak of the conflict western politicians promised to supply the Ukrainian army only with helmets and blankets, then came weapons, tanks, warplanes

US Congress passes bill to ban enriched uranium imports from Russia

It now needs to be signed by US President Joe Biden

Leader of Georgia’s largest opposition party beaten by police at rally — report

Levan Khabeishvili is a chairman of the party called United National Movement

Russian goods export expected to reach $428.7 bln in 2024 — Economy Ministry

"The trade balance is forecast at $104.5 bln and the current account balance as $27.9 bln," the spokesman added

Top security official advises West to keep door open for joint research work with Russia

Nikolay Patrushev cited recent research showing that a simulated eruption of the Yellowstone Caldera, which has shown increasing signs of active volcanic status over the years, and what consequences such a natural disaster could potentially leave in its wake

West plans to give Kiev not only F-16s, but also weapons for them — Pentagon

"It’s not only the airplanes, but also the training of the pilots, training of the maintenance and also making sure we have the weapon systems to go with it," US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Charles Brown said

Russian economy shows growth amid low unemployment rate — Economy Ministry

According to the ministry, it indicates that Russia's labor market is "fairly flexible"

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

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

Tucker Carlson interviews Russian philosopher Dugin

The interview lasted over 20 minutes

Voting on foreign agents law in third reading due in two weeks — Georgian PM

"In two weeks from now we will have the third reading. After that in a month, in four weeks’ time, a procedure to override the veto will follow," Kobakhidze said

Georgia’s riot police fire rubber bullets at protesters near parliament building

At least one person was injured

Medvedev vows Moscow's response to US law on seizing Russia's frozen assets will sting

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman suggested enacting legislation to allow Russia to confiscate assets belonging to the citizens of unfriendly countries

Russia opposes idea to pass resolution on Srebrenica at UNGA — Russia’s UN envoy

"The draft UNGA resolution as nothing to do with the stated goal of commemorating the victims of the 1995 tragedy", Vasily Nebenzya said

Russia’s National Wealth Fund totals $135 bln as of March 1 — finance ministry

Currently 227.5 bln Chinese yuan, 358 tons of gold in depersonalized form and 1.24 bln rubles are on accounts of the National Wealth Fund with the Bank of Russia

Majority of Germans against sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine — poll

37% favored such supplies

Ukrainian government allocates $392 million to buy more drones

Ukraine’s government has already allocated more than $1 billion to purchase drones this year

Almaz-Antey adapts air defense launchers for various missiles

Russian air defense launchers have a bigger range than US Patriot in Ukraine, Sergey Druzin said

Number of millionaires in Ukraine increases by more than 15% in 2022

The number of official millionaires in 2022 increased from 8,177 to 9,511, head of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada committee on finances and tax and customs policy Daniil Getmantsev said

Moscow shooter identified as European boxing champion Nikita Ivanov

This was reported by a representative of law enforcement agencies

Russian drivers bought 500,000 baseball bats last year to settle road disputes — police

Only one pair of baseball gloves and one ball was sold over that year

US, NATO countries intensify military activity in Arctic — Admiral Yevmenov

The practice of regular single and group cruises by ships and supply vessels of the US Navy and NATO countries has been introduced

Russia says battlegroup East eliminated up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers, 4 ammunition points

The battlegroup's units improved their forward positions, said Alexander Gordeyev, a spokesman for the battlegroup

Ukrainian suicide drone attacks village in Belgorod Region

Two passenger cars were damaged

Russian cutting-edge missile frigate holds artillery firings in Arctic drills

"The combat exercises were conducted in the Barents Sea waters closed for shipping," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

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

Chinese diplomat comments on Blinken’s warning on support to Russia

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian pointed out that the US was supplying Ukraine with arms and ammunition and at the same time making unfounded accusations regarding trade between China and Russia

Knauf plans to keep staff after German management stepping down

Knauf is working in Russia for more than two years in the "autonomous governance regime" and has sufficient resources and competence to continue operations, Head of corporate communications of Knauf Russia and Belarus region Leonid Los noted

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

Fire in Ulan-Ude suburb put out — emergencies ministry

Seventeen summer cottages have burnt down

Blast in Moscow City district shatters glazing, people are evacuated

There are no casualties and no fire has started

Slovak PM says will always stand for peaceful settlement of conflict in Ukraine

Robert Fico voiced criticism about the initiative of Slovak civic activists who have raised some four million euro to provide military assistance to Kiev

De Beers cuts diamond mining due to unsold inventories

The average retail price per carats gained 23% annually in the first quarter to $201

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

Russian cabinet extends obligatory sale of foreign currency revenue for one year

The move is to facilitate maintenance of stability of the foreign currency exchange rate and sustainability of the Russian financial market, the government noted

Colombia to sever diplomatic relations with Israel on May 2 — president

The Colombian government is radicalized against Israel, but at the same time it has not condemned the Palestinian Hamas movement for its attacks

Police detain 63 people at protest rally in Georgian capital

Six operatives of the Interior Ministry sustained various serious injuries

Russia uses AI in combat drones

"We have designs and software that we install on drones. We have tested them at ranges and are now supplying to the troops," Vyacheslav Solovyov said

Houthis attack two commercial vessels, two US destroyers

Movement’s representative Yahya Saria said that the Ansar Allah delivered drone strikes on two US destroyers in the Red Sea. According to him, the hits "reached their targets"

One woman killed, another one wounded in Ukraine’s shelling of Kursk Region village

According to region’s governor Roman Starovoit, two civilians were wounded in the shelling attack on the village in the morning

Russian Defense Minister attends meeting on special military operation

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu gave instructions to take measures to reduce the maintenance and repair time for military hardware, increasing supplies of spare parts in combat zones and support areas

Lavrov arrives in Myanmar for working visit

Russia’s top diplomat has talks with the country’s top diplomat Wunna Maung Lwin and meetings with Myanmar’s leadership planned

Lavrov informs Tajik counterpart about terrorism-prevention measures in Russia

Tthe two top diplomats agreed that it is necessary to continue developing the time-tested Russian-Tajik allied relations of strategic partnership and strengthen their positive dynamics

Putin requests increasing financing of Russian Science Foundation

The request is to be fulfilled by May 1

Protest rally against Poland’s military support for Kiev held in Warsaw

The organizers noted on the X social network that the rally is attended by several hundred people

West bears responsibility for Afghanistan’s plight — Russian delegation

As the Russian delegation’s spokesman emphasized, "the determination of the Afghan authorities to correct the human rights situation in the country as a whole deserves support"

Georgian parliament votes for foreign agents bill in second reading

According to the procedure, the bill is now to undergo the final, third reading. If supported, it will be sent to President Salome Zourabichvili for signature

Russia's gas production down 5.5% in 2023

Production of large-scale polymers in Russia in 2023 fell by 2.8% to 6.9 mln tons

Syria introduces electronic visas — embassy

Syrian diplomats explained to TASS that a relevant platform will issue visas online, obliterating the need to visit an embassy or a consulate

US undermines participation of Russian representative in UN Committee on Information

Dmitry Polyansky added that Moscow hoped that the current situation will be "cardinally corrected." He also reiterated that legally binding agreements with the host country existed

Nepal suggests Russia invest in country's hydropower industry, production of fertilizers

The Nepalese authorities believe that those issues would be discussed at the Investment summit that will take place in Nepal on April 28-29

Russia calls for investigating mass graves in Gaza — Russian diplomat

"An independent international investigation in needed to bring the criminals to responsibility," Vasily Nebenzya said

Georgia's ruling party intends to pass law on foreign agents despite protests

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that "in the long run we will make the country secure from polarization and radicalism for years"

Musk says Ukraine should have reached agreement with Russia in Istanbul

Musk responded that he saw eye to eye with billionaire David Sacks, who said on the social network X that Kiev probably should have agreed to a deal in Istanbul

Foreign agents law to accelerate Georgia's European integration, prime minister says

Irakli Kobakhidze said that Georgia will avoid even mental revolutionary processes

Russian GDP growth reaches 3.6% in 2023 — statistics

The GDP deflator index in 2023 against 2022 prices moved up by 6.3%

US court sentences Binance founder to four months in prison — Bloomberg

A judge handed down a much lighter sentence than the three years sought by the prosecution, the agency reported

Riot police dispersing protest rally in Tbilisi

Police are detaining the protesters who are tossing bottles and other objects at them

Inflation target of 4% expected to be reached in 2025 — Economy Ministry

According to the forecast of the Bank of Russia, annual inflation is expected to decline to 4-4.5% in 2024

Russia fighting puppet regime in Kiev, people to win from its defeat, security chief says

As Nikolay Patrushev said, ordinary Ukrainians have long understood that they were simply used as a bargaining chip, a tool to contain Russia

Death toll in China highway collapse climbs

At least 24 people were killed

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

Russian flag hoisted over northern outskirts of Rabotino in Zaporozhye — politician

Rogov remarked that there were no houses left in the village now, for which reason it made no sense to fortify positions there

Special operation being turned into war does not mean state of war de jure — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov also warned against comparing his use of the word "war" with what the participants in the protests against the special operation meant by it

Example of Great Patriotic War veterans inspires amid current trials — Putin

President expressed hope that the festival would arouse great interest among the participants and become a bright event among the events dedicated to Victory Day

Ukrainian troops shell DPR 6 times over 24 hours, wounding two civilians

Overall, the adversary fired 21 rounds of various munitions

Russia says its FPV drones delivered 40 strikes on Ukrainian sites in Donetsk area

Operators of FPV also destroyed a large number of personnel and equipment in their area of responsibility, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Russian troops recover first Abrams tank from special military operation zone

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

Russian forces strike Ukraine’s Operational Command South headquarters

The enemy’s troops and military hardware had been hit in 112 districts

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

Palestine deserves a say in UN — Mozambique's ambassador

The Mozambican ambassador also added that his country supported a two-state solution of the Palestinian issue

Russian troops pummel Ukrainian army, equipment in 131 areas over past day

It is reported that Russian forces repulsed four counterattacks by formations of the Ukrainian army’s 5th and 92nd assault brigades near the settlement of Krasnoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic

BRICS member states to consider creating common digital payment platform

The gradual integration of the new BRICS member states into the work of the financial tracks and strengthening of cooperation at the expert level was noted as being one of the crucial tasks for 2024

NATO’s encroachment of Russian borders signifies malevolent plans — Lavrov

Russia is used to the fact that Western colleagues, having signed up to many correct commitments in the 1990s, begin simply ignoring them, Russian Foreign Minister said

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"

Kremlin spokesman says Zelensky’s fate is sealed

The comment concerns both the fate of Zelensky and the outcome of the Russian special military operation

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 42.4 mcm via Sudzha

The nomination for the Sokhranovka gas pumping station has been rejected

Snowden says shot down UFOs meant to divert attention from Nord Stream sabotage

According to him, "it’s just the old engineered panic" to ensure that national security reporters "get assigned to investigate balloon" nonsense "rather than budgets or bombings"

Russian air defense forces block Ukrainian attempt to use ATACMS on Crimea — politician

The Ukrainians used several ATACMS ballistic missiles in an attempt to attack civilians on the peninsula

F-16 fighter jet crashes in US, pilot ejected

The pilot was the only occupant onboard the aircraft, Fox News television reported

Soros family makes deal with Kiev to use Ukrainian land as toxic waste dump — journalist

"This agreement authorizes the disposal of chemical waste from companies linked with financier George Soros in the black soil of Ukraine," he said