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Big Bear (United States) (AFP) – Handout images show two bald eagles switching places to keep their two eggs warm during a snowstorm in Big Bear Valley, California.

Washington (AFP) – The United States will announce “sweeping” new sanctions against Russia a year after President Vladimir Putin ordered the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the White House says.

Zaslawye (Belarus) (AFP) – In authoritarian Belarus, allied with Moscow, fears have grown its troops, too, will be sent to fight alongside Russia in the fighting in neighbouring Ukraine. Yet ordinary Belarusians, deeply worried about the fighting, hope for peace between neighbours.

Moscow (AFP) – Nearly a year on from when Moscow sent troops to Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin vows to continue increasing Russia’s nuclear arsenal, just days after suspending Moscow’s participation in the sole remaining arms control treaty between Russia and the US. Putin made the comments at a televised address for Defender of the Fatherland Day, a holiday commemorating the founding of the Red Army during the Russian Civil War.

Old Trafford (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ahead of the second leg of Barcelona’s Europa League play-off against Manchester United, Barcelona coach Xavi hails the job his opposite number Erik ten Hag has done at Old Trafford, calling United “one of the best teams in Europe.”

Aleppo (Syria) (AFP) – Sitting by a bed strewn with rubble in Syria’s second biggest city, Umm Mounir refuses to leave her home even though the deadly earthquake has torn a gaping hole into the room. Aleppo, once a major commercial hub, had already been battered by over a decade of war when the 7.8-magnitude quake struck in early February.

Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – One year on from the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, residents in the capital Kyiv take stock. One Kyiv resident describes it as “the most difficult year of my life”, explaining that “my boyfriend is a serviceman, so I haven’t seen him for a year”.

Jerusalem (AFP) – At a special cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns that anyone attacking Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers will face repercussions, adding that “whoever tries to harm us, will pay the price”. Israel launched air strikes on Gaza in return for rocket fire from the Palestinian enclave Thursday, a day after the deadliest Israeli army raid in the occupied West Bank in nearly 20 years.

Saint-Alyre-ès-Montagne (France) (AFP) – Ovalie, a prize Salers cow born in the rugby-loving Puy-de-Dôme region of France, has been chosen as the mascot of France’s Salon of Agriculture, where she is all set to flaunt her stuff on Saturday.

Baras (Philippines) (AFP) – Watchdog Global Witness ranks the Philippines as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for environmentalists, with 19 killed in 2021. Forest ranger Kuhkan Maas, who is protecting the Masungi Georeserve on the foothills of Sierra Madre, has faced harassment and was even shot for guarding the land.

Bengaluru (India) (AFP) – US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says sanctions are hurting Russia badly, as she and other G7 finance chiefs gather to discuss further measures on the eve of the first anniversary of the Ukraine invasion. “The way I see it, our sanctions have had a very significant negative effect on Russia so far. While by some measures the Russian economy has held up better than might initially have been expected, Russia is now running a significant budget deficit,” Yellen says ahead of a Group of 20 meeting in India.

Diyarbakir (Turkey) (AFP) – Two cats are reunited with their owners after a helicopter-led operation took place to rescue animals trapped inside a tower block in Diyarbakir, Turkey, two weeks after a deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country and neighbouring Syria. Animal lovers in the city protested Wednesday after officials sought to demolish the building. IMAGES