31 Mar, 10:30

Ovechkin solid on ice closing up on Gretzky’s all-time NHL record

Alexander Ovechkin now has 37 goals and 26 assists in 57 games this season

WASHINGTON, March 31. /TASS/. Russian superstar forward and Washington Capitals’ captain Alexander Ovechkin scored another goal on Sunday night as he played on his team’s home ice in a match against the Buffalo Sabres, putting him just four goals shy of Wayne Gretzky's all-time record.

Despite Ovechkin’s goal and two assists against the Sabres his team eventually lost to guests 5-8. This was the Capitals’ third defeat in a row as they previously lost to the Winnipeg Jets (2-3 in OT) and the Minnesota Wild (2-4). More than a week ago, the Washington Capitals was the first team this season to secure the berth in the playoffs.

"We lost three in a row, and right now it’s a good thing it’s happening right now and not in the playoffs," the NHL’s official website quoted Ovechkin as saying after the match. "But we just have to bounce back and we just have to find our way to win the games."

Ovechkin now has 37 goals and 26 assists in 57 games this season. Despite missing 16 games earlier in the season with a broken leg, Ovechkin is still in the top-10 in the NHL in goals this year, and is now second in NHL history with 890 goals, trailing only the Great One himself Wayne Gretzky of Canada, who had 894 goals in his NHL career.

Canadian-American ice hockey star Wayne Gretzky's career spanned twenty seasons over four different NHL clubs. From 1979 and 1999, Gretzky, considered by many to be the greatest hockey player of all-time, broke numerous NHL records, including the one for goals scored.

Ovechkin, 39, is signed with the Washington Capitals through 2026. The team, which already qualified for the playoffs, has nine games left in the regular season.

Ovechkin broke into the NHL with the Washington Capitals, who selected him with the 42nd pick in the 2004 draft. The Russian superstar led the Caps to a Stanley Cup title in 2018, the only one of his career, and the only one in the club's history.

In 2008, 2012 and 2014, "Ovie," as he is called by his fans, won gold medals at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships to go along with his two silver and four bronze medals at the world championships.

During a rally of the newly-elected US president’s supporters at the Capital One Arena in Washington on January 20, US President Donald Trump called Russian hockey player Alexander Ovechkin "a great player."

Yesterday, 17:30

Russian judokas cleared for 2025 European Judo Championship in Montenegro

The 2025 European Judo Championships will be held at the Moraca Sports Center in Podgorica, Montenegro, between April 23 and 27

Yesterday, 18:35

US would like to strike trade deal with China — Trump

The US leader said that he has "great respect" for Chinese President Xi Jinping

IN BRIEF: What is known about latest Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure

A lead engineer at a plant in the LPR suffered injuries

Yesterday, 18:01

Apple ships 1.5 mln iPhones out of India to avoid US tariffs — Reuters

According to sources, Apple has chartered six cargo planes to ship 600 tons of gadgets

US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff arrives in Russia — Kremlin spokesman

The Kremlin would provide information in due course if Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Steven Witkoff, Dmitry Peskov said

Iran, US can come to terms if only demand is Tehran giving up nuclear weapons — MFA

According to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi, if all participants in the talks in Oman demonstrate the necessary political will, a new agreement could be reached

UK, Norway to provide Ukraine with military assistance worth $580 mln

The funds will be directed towards the supply of "hundreds of thousands" of drones to Kiev, as well as the repair and maintenance of vehicles and equipment

Yesterday, 14:35

Western countries discuss sending troops to Ukraine after ceasefire

Although the US is absent from the meeting, NATO structures are actively involved in the discussion, especially on how to improve Kiev's capabilities on the battlefield, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pointed out

Yesterday, 14:57

Paris aware of Ukraine’s military industry collapse, calls for more aid to Kiev — expert

Alexander Stepanov confirmed that Russia regularly carried out precision strikes against these enterprises, including with Iskander missiles and Geran drones, in an effort to hurt Ukraine’s arms production

Yesterday, 16:45

IN BRIEF: What to know about outcome of Russia-US talks in Istanbul

The second round of consultations on normalizing the operation of their embassies lasted five and a half hours

Yesterday, 20:12

US State Department confirms ambassador to Ukraine to resign

Bridget Brink was ambassador at the embassy in Ukraine for three years

Yesterday, 12:14

Russian army hits two Ukrainian repair sites with Geran UAVs — politician

According to Vladimir Rogov, one of the strikes hit a large industrial facility used by the Ukrainian army to repair military equipment

Judge orders release of 11 Russians detained in Tunisia — lawyer

According to attorney Olfa Hajri, they have been officially released

US should appreciate Iran agreed to dialogue despite threats — Foreign Ministry

According to the Islamic republic's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei, the Iranian side intends to assess Washington's position at the talks on Saturday and then give its response

Yesterday, 20:43

No serious changes in US-Russia relations without ceasefire in Ukraine — State Department

Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce emphasized that interaction is necessary to achieve any result

Yesterday, 13:07

Russia to harshly respond to Japan's participation in supplying Kiev with weapons — MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that any steps by Japan to directly or indirectly participate in supplying Ukraine with arms and military equipment would be regarded as unequivocally hostile

Yesterday, 19:09

US hopes to reach agreement with Russia, Ukraine soon — Trump

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on April 7 that President Vladimir Putin supports a ceasefire in Ukraine, but before that some issues have to be resolved, which for now are hanging in the air

Yesterday, 20:55

US may banish Chinese companies from American stock exchanges — Fox Business journalist

Shares of more than 300 Chinese companies are traded on the American stock exchanges, including Alibaba, Sinopec, JD.com and NetEase

Minsk calls statements about possible plans to attack neighboring countries insinuations

"All those insinuations that are being widely spread on the Internet today, that Belarus is ready to attack neighboring countries, are nothing more than propaganda," Pavel Muraveiko said

Yesterday, 16:38

South Korea imposes sanctions against Russian company over alleged North Korea trade

The sanctions apply to an unregistered vessel called the Sunrise 1, operated by the Hong Kong-based company Xiangrui Shipping, as well as two Chinese citizens who work as managers at the shipping company

Yesterday, 09:04

Russia dismisses innuendos about nonexistent threat by Bosnia’s top diplomat — diplomat

Maria Zakharova criticized Elmedin Konakovic’s statement as "clumsy to say the least"

Yesterday, 17:57

Lavrov's visit to Astana aimed at preparing most important events — Foreign Ministry

On April 10, during a working visit to Kazakhstan, the Russian foreign minister held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu

At least 29 Palestinians killed due to Israeli strikes on Gaza over past 24 hours

Rescue operations are ongoing to locate those reported missing following an Israeli strike on a residential area in the Al-Shujaiya neighborhood in the eastern part of Gaza City on Wednesday, which left 35 people dead

Press review: Russia, US move past Biden’s legacy as Kiev assures NATO of fight readiness

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 11th

Yesterday, 15:58

Louvre now proud holder of icon once owned by Nicholas II

The Louvre noted that "this icon will be the centerpiece of the museum's new department, given its historical significance and the fact that it is the work of one of the most renowned jewelers of the House of Faberge"

Yesterday, 23:03

Europe is in crisis and losing itself — Republika Srpska President

Milorad Dodik noted that "representatives of the current Brussels mainstream no longer feel safe, and the Europe they were entrusted to govern has been lost"

The Times says UK deeply involved in Ukrainian conflict

The newspaper said that the country’s military specialists were secretly deployed to Ukraine in order to equip airplanes with the missiles and train Ukrainians in their use

Yesterday, 10:57

Kremlin dismisses Zelensky’s accusations of Russia dragging China into Ukraine conflict

"China has always maintained a very balanced position," Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 11:01

EU cracks down on dissent, defies democracy it once lectured Russia on — Kremlin

"They are departing from the very standards of democracy they have long proclaimed and sought to impart to other nations, including us," Dmitry Peskov said

China’s foreign minister blasts US ‘arbitrary’ moves at meeting with IAEA chief

Wang Yi called for preventing humanity from "returning to the jungle world"

Trump administration understands that Zelensky hates Russians — Lavrov

"The Trump administration has this understanding and it has repeatedly stated in public that Zelensky will have to accept the loss of land," Russia’s top diplomat said

RDIF CEO Dmitriyev meets with Trump’s envoy Witkoff in St. Petersburg

Kirill Dmitriyev had accompanied the US Special Presidential Envoy to his car before both departed

Official does not see other than Russophobic candidates running for presidency in Ukraine

According to Kherson Region Governor Vladimir Saldo, the Kiev regime has been blocking attempts in the media to raise the issue of a presidential election

Lavrov to discuss preparations for 80th Victory Day anniversary with CIS counterparts

The agenda will also include issues related to cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as the strengthening of border security

Yesterday, 23:05

Gold futures climb above $3,200 per troy ounce, first time since April 2

By 1:48 a.m. Moscow time, gold had extended its gains, trading at $3,212 per ounce, a 2.24% increase

Yesterday, 18:07

Russian, US delegations state need to immediately eliminate 'irritants' — envoy

"The Russian side emphasized the importance of the prompt return of Moscow's diplomatic property seized by the US authorities," Alexander Darchiev said

Total of 80% Russians trust Putin — pollster

56% of respondents said they approved of the Russian government’s overall handling of the country

Yesterday, 13:35

Urals oil price drops below $50 per barrel first since June 2023

The price of Urals oil was last below $50 per barrel on June 12, 2023

Yesterday, 12:52

Russian-US consultations conclude in Istanbul after almost six hours

The meeting ended without any press statements

Ukraine sustaining `colossal casualties’ in Oleshnya in Kursk region — security officer

The Ukrainian army has been struggling to control sectors of the settlement of Oleshnya toward which a group of paratroopers from near Yunakovka had been dispatched

Russia anticipates all CIS leaders to attend May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat emphasized that the meeting participants underscored the special significance of the events dedicated to the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War

Yesterday, 17:02

Out of US prison, Russia’s Petrov says he misses home in a video from security agency

The video also shows Arthur Petrov getting off the plane by airstairs after landing in Russia

EU to continue working on countermeasures despite US tariff ‘pause’ — Macron

The French president stressed that Europe intends to protect itself and achieve the removal of tariffs through a fair agreement with the United States

Chinese company acquires strategic chemical plant in France supplying Defense Ministry

Wanhua Chemical Group offered to invest €10 mln into the plant’s production but also proposed to reduce the workforce from the current 300 employees to just 50-60

Yesterday, 19:52

Yura Borisov signs with one of biggest US talent agencies — report

The agency describes its clients as people whose voices and vision define culture and shape the world

Yesterday, 10:39

Crime in the making: Diplomat slams EU diplomacy chief’s words about frozen Russian assets

"I think this gives us a unique opportunity to analyze a crime before it was committed, not just after," Maria Zakharova said

Yesterday, 13:34

Zhuravka liberation brings Russian troops closer to Ukrainian army’s hub in Sumy Region

Yunakovka is a logistics hub for the Ukrainian army to supply its combat group in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

Yesterday, 16:33

Azerbaijan’s president says Western organizations plotted coups in his county

Ilham Aliyev noted that in 2005, there was an attempt to organize an "orange revolution" in Azerbaijan under the auspices of the US Department of State

Yesterday, 10:58

IN BRIEF: What we know about prisoner swap between Russia, United States

TASS has compiled the key details about the exchange

Russian soldiers in Guyevo were confronted by Ukrainian elite units

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that units from the battle group North had liberated Guyevo

Early injection, large LNG supplies may help Europe avoid depleting gas reserves in winter

It is crucial to begin filling the storage facilities as early as possible and any unscheduled technical shutdowns could potentially put additional pressure on the injection season, ENTSOG said

Xi Jinping to visit Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia on April 14-18

Chinese leader will visit Kuala Lumpur and Phnom Penh at the invitation of Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni

Head of Siemens division and his family died in Hudson River helicopter crash — TV

In addition to the Agustin Escobar family, the 36-year-old pilot was also killed

Two days ago, 14:19

Beijing won’t make concessions in trade war with Trump, US needs China — expert

Zhang Weiwei also claimed that in the first round of the trade war, 90% of the US tariffs against China were paid by American companies and consumers

Yesterday, 19:41

US hopes Witkoff's meeting with Iranian representative to lead to peace — top diplomat

According to him, it will be an "important meeting"

Yesterday, 15:33

Trump's trade wars will strengthen 'economic symbiosis' of Russia and China — envoy

Boris Titov noted that Donald Trump has put the trade war with the entire world on hold, focusing on the confrontation with China

Yesterday, 10:49

Ukrainian troops trapped between Dzerzhinsk and Dimitrov in Donetsk region, says DPR

Russian forces have made considerable gains in the area of Sukhaya Balka, including the settlements of Aleksandropol, Panteleymonovka and Valentinovka where Ukrainian troops are under intense pressure

Yesterday, 07:46

Some EU countries strongly oppose use of Russian assets for Ukraine’s needs — top diplomat

Kaja Kallas declined to name those countries

Yesterday, 16:13

US duties against China increased to 145% — CNBC

According to the source, 125% import duties in respect of Chinese products announced by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday do not account the 20% tariff set earlier by the US leader for allegedly insufficient efforts of Canadian, Mexican and Chinese governments in combating fentanyl spread

Trump’s envoy Witkoff heading to Russia for a meeting with Putin — Axios

The flight carrying Witkoff departed from Fort Lauderdale in Florida and landed at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg

Delegates from 140 countries to discuss promoting dialogue at Antalya diplomatic forum

On April 12, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will attend the forum

Yesterday, 15:26

Breakthrough Russian allergy vaccine could hit market by 2026 — FMBA

According to the statement, all pre-clinical trials for the vaccine are nearing completion, with its safety and effectiveness already confirmed, and the manufacturing process laid down

UK considers deploying troops to Ukraine for five years

According to the plan under discussion in London and Paris, Western forces may be sent to Ukraine following a settlement of the conflict, acting as a "deterrent force" purportedly to prevent the resumption of hostilities

Yesterday, 17:10

US-China tensions very serious, even explosive — Lukashenko

"The Chinese somehow manage to smooth it out and keep this tension under control," the Belarusian president noted

Yesterday, 15:56

Pentagon sees threat to US in Russia, China, DPRK strengthening cooperation

"Together, these countries’ growing ties create a complex, interconnected challenge to US national security and regional stability," US Indo-Pacific Command chief Samuel Paparo noted

Yesterday, 17:35

Ansar Allah leader says US could not weaken Houthi military capabilities

"The Americans could neither ensure secure navigation for the Israeli adversary, nor halt projectile and drone attacks against it," the Houthi leader stressed

Yesterday, 16:05

US oil supplies to China set to decline to almost zero due to Trump tariffs — Bloomberg

Crude supplies from the US "are by no means vital to China" - in the early months of this year added up to roughly 1% of the Asian nation’s total imports, according to data from analytics firm Vortexa Ltd, the agency reported

Plane in Washington Airport clips another aircraft with members of Congress on board

According to the airline, the first aircraft was carrying four crew members and 76 passengers, while the second had four crew members and 67 passengers on board

Yesterday, 20:24

Helicopter crashes into river in New York — police

At least six people have died, the Associated Press news agency reported

Unlike Europe, US shows willingness to understand root causes of Ukraine conflict — Lavrov

The foreign minister emphasized that US leader Donald Trump had repeatedly made public remarks stating that "incorporating Ukraine into NATO was a mistake that played a crucial role in the current events, even though Moscow had been warning about it for years"

Yesterday, 18:11

Russian-US consultations make headway in normalizing work of embassies — ambassador

Alexander Darchiev confirmed that the delegations of Russia and the United States gave each other guarantees on the maintenance of diplomatic missions in both countries

Two days ago, 19:21

Russian MFA mocks Macron's shifting rhetoric, blames it on 'atmospheric pressure'

Maria Zakharova went on to say that before French President "started opening his nuclear umbrella over everyone, he was saying that he absolutely needed a place at the negotiating table"

New York City mayor confirms six fatalities in helicopter crash

According to Eric Adams, all six individuals were recovered from the water, but none of them survived

Yesterday, 20:32

Belarusian president warns trade war could escalate into military confrontation

He pointed to the Houthi situation as an example of how conflicts can spiral

Two days ago, 14:41

MFA shocked by Ukraine offering ‘safaris’ to foreign nationals

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the Kiev regime has long turned war into a business"

Russia’s defense chief inspects Battlegroup West in special military op zone

Andrey Belousov chaired a meeting at the Battlegroup West’s command post where military commanders briefed him on the current situation, the maintenance of troops in the special military operation zone and enemy activity in the zone controlled by the battlegroup

US exploits Zelensky to gain access to minerals, then kicks him to curb — Russian MFA

"Zelensky’s curators used him and are now wiping their dirty and blood-covered hands of him," Maria Zakharova wrote

Yesterday, 19:49

US may extend its pause in lifting import tariffs — Trump

President Donald Trump said that we'll have to see what happens at that time, answering the question whether the three-month pause announced on April 9 may be extended at the end of that period

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

The Ukrainian military lost more than 10,000 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the week of April 5-11, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Yesterday, 19:37

Belarusian president calls US-China tensions 'explosive'

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus and Russia, as part of the Union State, need to keep their eyes on other conflicts as well

China to increase duties on US goods from 84% to 125% starting April 12 — committee

Washington's excessive duties on Chinese products are "a significant violation of international trade and economic regulations", the Tariff Committee of the State Council of China stated

Yesterday, 13:15

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfield, weapons depots over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 430 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day

Russia-US contacts insufficient, normalization still needed — Lavrov

The foreign minister emphasized that restoring the undermined trust in US-Russia relations "will take a long time"

Yesterday, 20:56

Expansion of cooperation between Russia, US not discussed in Istanbul — State Department

According to spokesperson Tammy Bruce, it is a technical meeting

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: US and China launch trade war while Russia and the US hold new talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 10th

Two days ago, 09:33

France, UK preparing military intervention in Odessa — Foreign Ministry

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the proposed "coalition of the willing" as nothing more than "a meme"

Air traffic between Russia, US should resume if sanctions on Aeroflot lifted — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister assured that Moscow would continue to work with Washington on the matter of restoring air connections

German Defense Minister expects no peace in Ukraine in foreseeable future

The Bundestag had previously approved the disbursement of €11 billion until 2029 to assist Kiev, in addition to the already promised aid

EU wants to continue war in Ukraine, so promises admission to union — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban reminded that the European Union was initially founded "as a peaceful initiative, not a military one"

Yesterday, 15:41

Russia stresses priority of diplomatic property return in US — ambassador

Alexander Darchiev underlined that "the sides showed their mutual readiness to work on a corresponding roadmap"

Georgia seeks peace in relations with Russia despite territorial issues — prime minister

Irakly Kobakhidze emphasized that this approach is effective, contributing to the positive development of Georgia's economy

Yesterday, 08:10

Russian troops completing mop-up operation in outskirts of Guyevo in Kursk area

"Our fighters are completing mopping up forest belts in the outskirts of Guyevo where hundreds of bodies of destroyed Ukrainian soldiers and military hardware can be seen," the source said

Yesterday, 17:22

Western countries know nothing about democracy — Lukashenko

"No matter how much the Americans, the French, and others try to pretend otherwise, they’re not just spreading propaganda – it goes beyond that," the Belarusian leader stressed

Russia-US prisoner exchanges help rebuild trust, says Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, Moscow and Washington jointly initiated the recent prisoner exchange

CIS foreign ministers meeting kicks off in Almaty

The meeting will be followed by separate Russia-Central Asia talks between the foreign ministers

Israel, Turkey fail to reach agreement on Syria during negotiations in Azerbaijan

The talks are expected to resume following the conclusion of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which this year runs from April 12 to 19

French troops plan operations against Russia on border with Ukraine, Moldova — media

According to Colonel Guillaume Schmidt, the unit's commander, troops need to be prepared to continue combat actions even when satellite signals are jammed

Yesterday, 20:08

US seeks release of Hubbard, other Americans detained in Russia — State Department

Spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the US swapped Russian Artur Petrov for Russian-American Ksenia Karelina

Lavrov promises access to alternative payment platforms to non-members of BRICS

"There is an opportunity to form payment platforms independent of external influence, one example being the financial messaging system of the Bank of Russia," the Russian foreign minister said

Yesterday, 11:56

Russian troops liberate over 4 sq km near Zaporozhye Region's Kamenskoye — politician

Vladimir Rogov said that the Russian forces are holding the initiative, and the advance continues

Lavrov advises Central Asian countries to 'outlast' Kaja Kallas in her position

"It will probably be much easier than tolerating damage to their own people," the top Russian diplomat noted