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This week in photos: Scarlet sails, London's Sky Pool and Chelsea's Champions League win

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

Photo {{sliderIndex+1}} from 12

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko with son Nikolai and Russian President Vladimir Putin enjoy a meal during a boat ride off Russian Black Sea coast, May 29

© Sergei Ilyin/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

The Rossiya brig sails along the Neva River during a rehearsal of the 2021 Scarlet Sails Festival for school leavers, June 1

© Alexander Ryumin/TASS

A screen shows contactless body temperature monitoring at the 2021 St Petersburg International Economic Forum at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Center, June 2

© Peter Kovalev/TASS

Smoke rises from a fire onboard the MV X-Press Pearl container ship in the seas off the Colombo Harbour in Ja-Ela. The vessel caught fire on May 20, when it was at anchorage about 23 km from the coast. There were 1,486 containers on board, including containers with 25 tons of nitric acid, plastics and chemicals. The fight against the fire lasted for about 10 days, the cause of the fire could be a chemical leak. The entire crew was evacuated. The area where the container ship burned can be declared an ecological disaster zone, Sri Lanka May 26

© Sri Lanka Airforce Media/Handout via REUTERS

A Soyuz-2.1b rocket booster with a Fregat upper stage carrying 36 British OneWeb satellites lifts off from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, May 28

© Sergei Savostyanov/TASS

Luke Jerram's installation of a giant globe called 'Gaia' during a photocall at the Painted Hall in the Royal Naval College in Greenwich. The seven metre sculpture is an internally lit replica of the planet Earth using NASA imagery. It rotates and aims at replicating a sense of the 'Overview Effect' that astronauts experience when they see our home earth from space, London, June 1

© EPA-EFE/VICKIE FLORES

A man rides motorcycle in Hanoi. Vietnam plans to test all 9 million people in its largest city for the coronavirus and imposed more restrictions Monday to deal with a growing COVID-19 outbreak, May 31

© AP Photo/Hau Dinh

Seagull hunts pearl mullets, an endemic fish species found only in Van Lake, as they jump up on their way through the waterfall during their Spring season migration in Ercis district near Van city. Pearl mullet, the only species able to survive in the salty, alkaline waters of Turkey's Lake Van, June 1

© EPA-EFE/SEDAT SUNA

People swim in the Sky Pool, a transparent swimming pool bridge across two exclusive residential blocks standing next to the US Embassy in Nine Elms. The pool is completely transparent and looks like an aquarium. Its length is 25 meters, depth is about 3 meters, and the weight of water alone is about 375 tons, London, June 1

© AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali

A giant fresco mural by French street artist and photographer Jean Rene aka JR is displayed on the wall of a Parisian building. To celebrate the renewal of cultural life in the French capital, the "Parcours Saint-Germain" festival joins forces with big names in contemporary art on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, Paris, May 31

© Chesnot/Getty Images

Chelsea players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Champions League. Team 1-0 beat Manchester City in the final, Porto, May 29

© REUTERS/David Ramos

Sheep graze on the Tibetan plateau, Tibet, June 2

© AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

London's Sky Pool and Chelsea's Champions League win, and other stories are among some of the developments captured in this week's photos.

Patriarch Kirill thanks Putin for supporting Orthodox Church endeavors

In his congratulatory message to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the patriarch also expressed the hope that their interaction would continue to promote the ideals of mercy and love in people's lives, and would contribute to peace and harmony in society

France preparing contingent of 2,000 troops to be sent to Ukraine — intelligence chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French military "fears that such a large military unit cannot be transferred and stationed in Ukraine unnoticed"

Ukrainians trying to leave country into Moldova — border guard service

Andrey Demchenko from the State Border Guard Service added that the border guard service is trying to thwart such escape attempts in cooperation with Moldovan counterparts

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

Ukraine’s Zelensky warns troops about 'new round of war' coming

Previously, Russian Defense Minister Sergey announced, that, in 2024, the Ukrainian armed forces lost over 111,000 troops and 21,000 weapons and vehicles

Death toll from Brazilian floods rises to 56 - report

The deluge hit 281 municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, affecting more than 370,000 people

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

Russia holds final rehearsal of Victory Day Parade on Moscow’s Red Square

Participants in the special military operation in Ukraine will also march across Red Square

Russian forces carry out 25 group strikes at energy, military industrial facilities

The Russian Defense Ministry noted that the strikes also hit temporary deployment locations of Ukrainian neo-Nazi militias and foreign mercenaries, as well as concentrations of military vehicles

Lavrov slams Europe’s striving to isolate Russia as silly

It demonstrates the quality of decisions passed by European politicians in the west of the continent, Russian Foreign Minister said

Ukrainian authorities talk about negotiations guided by public sentiments — experts

Political researcher Oleg Posternak noted that the authorities constantly carry out sociological public opinion surveys, see the dynamic and adjust their statements in accordance with the poll results

Russia launches production of smartphones with protection against data leakage

A special feature of AYYA T1 is the impossibility of unauthorized data collection by cameras and microphone thanks to the option of their hardware shutdown

NATO seriously prepares for conflict with Russia — diplomat on Steadfast Defender exercise

Maria Zakharova said that NATO practice coalition actions against Russia

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

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"

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"

Israel not to accept Hamas reestablishing control over Gaza — Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that his government is doing its best to see the release of the hostages held in the enclave, maintaining that it is Palestinian radicals who are blocking the talks by making unacceptable demands

Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

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

South Korea-Russia relations were not doomed to worsen because of Ukraine, says expert

According to Park Byung-hwan, director of the Eurasian Strategy Research Institute, countries in their relations with each other are not guided by morals, but only pursue state interests

Shiite units clam to have attacked Israel’s Haifa

Israel neither confirmed nor refuted this information

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

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"

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 air defenses shoot down Ukrainian drone over Belgorod Region - Defense Ministry

The Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod Region by on-duty air defenses

Any European country’s involvement in Ukrainian conflict to trigger world war — Szijjarto

Hungarian Foreign Minister noted that Europe is living through an emergency situation, with a war being held

Russia says its forces destroyed two militant bases in Syria’s Homs province

In the area of al-Tanf, nine violations were registered over the past day, said Major General Yury Popov

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 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

Infrastructure facilities damaged in Ukrainian city of Dnepr

In addition, two enterprises were damaged in Nikopol in the Dnepropetrovsk region

Putin’s trip to China will rivet world’s attention, Kremlin spokesman predicts

The countries will jointly announce the time of this trip, Dmitry Peskov said

Dutch ambassador to Russia wraps up his term — embassy

Gilles Beschoor Plug started his tenure as ambassador to Moscow in 2021

Qatar likely to accept US request on expulsion of Hamas leaders from Doha — report

According to the source, Washington may file a request on expulsion of Hamas leaders if the Palestinian movement rejects the latest proposal on resolution of the hostage crisis

Russian ministry puts former Ukrainian Defense Minister Koval on wanted persons list

Koval served as Ukraine's acting defense minister from March 25 to July 3, 2014

Russian upper house speaker sends Easter congratulations to Patriarch Kirill

Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko noted that this holiday, "which fills millions of hearts with love, hope and faith in the triumph of life, encourages [people to] good deeds," is an integral spiritual component of Russian society, a symbol of its moral strength

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

Ministry of Emergency Situations employees continue to remove the debris

Russia not initiating severing of relations with Baltic States — diplomat

"It is highly undesirable to come to this point," Maria Zakharova said, adding that Russia would continue to use diplomatic measures of influence

Cuba opts to scrap visa regime for Chinese nationals, says Cuban tourism minister

Juan Carlos Garcia Granda announced this decision in view of the fact that China will be the guest of honor during the next International Tourism Fair

Czech government officially recalls ambassador from Russia — news agency

The foreign minister also said that Jan Ondrejka will not take part in the upcoming inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 7, citing the current state of bilateral relations

Israel ready for pause in fighting to free hostages — Netanyahu

"Israel has been, and still is, ready for a pause in the fighting in order to free our hostages. This is what we did when we freed 124 hostages, and resumed fighting - and this is what we are ready to do today as well," the prime minister’s Office quoted his statement

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr wipes out 40 Ukrainian drone control centers in 24 hours

The enemy has lost up to 30 troops, battlegroup spokesman Roman Kodryan said

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

Talks on Gaza in Cairo achieve little progress so far — Hamas spokesman

The indirect talks will resume on May 5

Russian citizen Vinnik pleads guilty in US court in money-laundering case

His attorney said that his jail term should be less than 10 years

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

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"

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

Europe needs China to address security, climate challenges — Macron

Focusing on the economy, Macron spoke in favor of strengthening European sovereignty while maintaining cooperation with China

Russian ministry puts former Ukrainian President Poroshenko on wanted persons list

A database entry says Poroshenko is wanted for a criminal offense, without naming specific charges

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

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

Chinese President Xi Jinping embarks on European tour to France, Serbia, Hungary

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that these visits would boost global peaceful development

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

China to look for ways of settling Ukrainian crisis jointly with France — Xi

Xi arrived on a state visit in France on Sunday

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"

Holy Fire from Jerusalem delivered to Christ the Saviour Cathedral

The service is conducted by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill

Idea of cutting Russia off from Kaliningrad is absurd — region’s authorities

Dmitry Lyskov clarified that Russian passenger planes use the same GPS system as European ones and do not experience any difficulties in navigation

President of Guinea-Bissau to attend Victory Day parade in Moscow - embassy

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said more than 9,000 people, aircraft and 75 units of military equipment will take part in the parade on Red Squar

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

Two Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers perform flight over Bering Sea near Alaska

The crews of Su-30SM aircraft of the Aerospace Forces provided fighter support

Cuban president plans to visit Russia, attend May 9 parade — diplomatic source

"Such a visit is in the works," the source said

Sadiq Khan wins third term as London mayor

Khan, 53, who represents the opposition Labour Party, collected 43.7% of the votes in the May 2 election

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

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

Blasts reported in Kharkov

An air raid alert has been declared in the Kharkov Region

Trump develops plan on peaceful resolution in Ukraine — Telegraph

Former US President will not reveal it until the election, the Daily Telegraph reported

Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

Russia has "very constructive and friendly relations" with Turkey, Dmitry Peskov stressed

At least 20 missiles fired by Hamas, Hezbollah at Israel, several people hurt — media

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed reports about the shelling attack on Kerem Shalom

Some 400 US citizens killed in hostilities in Ukraine — former Pentagon official

"We know that at least 400 Americans have died whether they are contractors or in uniform. Our administration won't say this," he said

Hamas confirms its readiness to reach ceasefire agreement with Israel

According to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas delegation has arrived at the current talks "with a positive mood and flexible positions"

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 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"

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

World of NATO supporters crumbling, they are ready for all-out war — French politician

Tucker Carlson’s interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin "is making the entire NATO system infuriated, since it makes people listen to a story that differs from NATO propaganda and which they can’t tolerate", said Florian Philippot

Russia, Turkey discuss situation around Ukraine and Gaza

The talks took place in Istanbul on May 3

Putin expresses gratitude to Patriarch Kirill for work towards strengthening Fatherland

Putin thanked Patriarch Kirill for "productive cooperation at this difficult time, when <...> it is so important to unite efforts for the sure-footed development and strengthening of the Fatherland"

Israeli military says it killed one of Islamic Jihad commanders in Rafah

According to the IDF, the commander, Ayman Zaarab, took part in the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023

Criminal case opened against Zelensky, arrest warrant issued — police database

According to the entry, Zelensky is wanted over a Russian Criminal Code article

Final report on 2019 Aeroflot Superjet 100 crash in Sheremetyevo complete — IAC

The Committee underscored that, during the investigation, all hazard factors are being forwarded to the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport (Rosaviatsiya), the designers, the producers and the users of this type of aircraft

Air raid warning issued in four Ukrainian regions

Sirens are on in the Dnepropetrovsk, Poltava, Sumy and Kharkov regions

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

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

Russian envoy slams US accusations of Russia’s involvement in cyberattacks on Europe

"According to statistics, the vast majority of computer attacks in the world occur from the territory of the United States," Anatoly Antonov stressed

Russian troops liberate Ocheretino community in DPR — top brass

The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Avdeyevka area over the past 24 hours amounted to 380 personnel, a US-made Abrams tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, including a US-manufactured Bradley

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"

Extinguishing fire at Berlin metal factory halted

Firefighters have suspended extinguishing a blaze due to the threat of contaminating local water with chemicals, Bild reported

French President Macron says dialogue with Russia must be continued

Emmanuel Macron also said that technical capabilities and the striking range of Russian ballistic missiles endangered European countries

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

Algeria requests UNSC session on mass graves in Gaza — source

Earlier UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for an independent investigation into the tragedy

Russian President Putin attends Easter service at Christ the Savior Cathedral

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin attended the service together with Putin

Russian ministry puts Ukraine’s Ground Forces commander on wanted persons list

Pavlyuk was appointed Ground Forces commander on February 11

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

Ruling party wins parliamentary election in Togo

Prior to the election, the parliament adopted a new constitution that changes the country's form of state rule from presidential to parliamentary

Patriarch Kirill thanks Putin for supporting Orthodox Church endeavors

In his congratulatory message to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the patriarch also expressed the hope that their interaction would continue to promote the ideals of mercy and love in people's lives, and would contribute to peace and harmony in society

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

The Diehl Group also makes ammunition and communications systems

G7 considers giving Ukraine $50 bln worth of aid — Bloomberg

The US pushing to sign an agreement when G7 leaders convene in Italy in June

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

Almost 34,600 Palestinians killed in Gaza since last October — Health Ministry

77,765 people have been injured

Hamas doesn’t want to reach agreement with Israel — Israeli defense minister

According to the minister, the Israeli army is ready to continue combat operations in the entire Gaza Strip, including in Rafah

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

Dollar will be worth nothing unless issue of country’s national debt solved, Musk says

Earlier, Vitor Gaspar, director of the International Monetary Fund’s Fiscal Affairs Department, said that the growth of the US national debt spurred side effects across the globe

Putin congratulates Orthodox Christians on Easter Sunday

Russian President also emphasized the "constructive, productive activity of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian confessions" that preserve Russia's historical, cultural and spiritual heritage

Russian troops seize Ukrainian T-64 tank near Ugledar in DPR

The Ukrainian crew had the time to leave the vehicle while the tank was evacuated and is currently under repairs

‘Peace formula’ on Ukraine to succeed if West halts arms supplies — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted remarks by Josep Borrell who asserted that without Western arms supplies Kiev would capitulate in two weeks

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