A Ukrainian serviceman takes cover in a trench near Bakhmut, Ukraine, during shelling on Wednesday, March 8.

The week in 37 photos

A Ukrainian serviceman takes cover in a trench near Bakhmut, Ukraine, during shelling on Wednesday, March 8.

Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images

Published 7:26 PM EST, Thu March 9, 2023

Produced by CNN Digital's Photo Team

For the first time in eight months, Russia is on the brink of taking a Ukrainian city.

Weeks of Russian attacks on Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine, have forced thousands of people from the city and decimated its infrastructure.

Ukrainian forces continue to defend the city, with President Volodymyr Zelensky warning that Russian troops would have "open road" to capture other key cities if they take Bakhmut. "This is tactical for us," Zelensky said in an interview with CNN. NATO intelligence estimates that for every Ukrainian soldier killed defending Bakhmut, Russian forces have lost at least five, a military official with the alliance told CNN on Monday.

Nearly 4,000 civilians, including 38 children, remained inside the besieged city as of Tuesday, according to Iryna Vereshchuk, Ukraine's vice prime minister.

Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.

//www.cnn.com/2023/03/07/world/holi-2023-celebration-photos-cec/index.html" target="_blank">are celebrating Holi this week</a>. The Hindu festival of love, color and spring is one of the most joyous celebrations of the year.

Hindu devotees are sprayed with colored water during Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad, India, on Wednesday, March 8. Millions of people in India and around the world are celebrating Holi this week. The Hindu festival of love, color and spring is one of the most joyous celebrations of the year.

Amit Dave/Reuters
Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh competes at the European Indoor Championships on Sunday, March 5. She won the gold.

Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh competes at the European Indoor Championships on Sunday, March 5. She won the gold.

Khalil Hamra/AP
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/07/middleeast/israel-jenin-west-bank-operation-intl/index.html" target="_blank">staged a daylight raid into Jenin</a>, targeting the suspect in the killing of two Jewish settlers. The raid left the suspect and at least five other Palestinian men dead, officials on both sides said Tuesday.

Israeli army vehicles move along a road into Jenin, in the occupied West Bank, on Tuesday, March 7. Israeli forces staged a daylight raid into Jenin, targeting the suspect in the killing of two Jewish settlers. The raid left the suspect and at least five other Palestinian men dead, officials on both sides said Tuesday.

Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP/Getty Images
//www.reuters.com/world/china/need-nanny-chinese-school-trains-women-take-care-newborns-2023-03-08/" target="_blank" target="_blank">"confinement carers"</a> who look after mothers and their newborn babies.

Women train with plastic baby dolls as they take a nursing skills class in Shanghai, China, on Thursday, March 2. The women were learning to be "confinement carers" who look after mothers and their newborn babies.

Aly Song/Reuters
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/04/politics/trump-cpac-speech/index.html" target="_blank">speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference</a> in National Harbor, Maryland, on Saturday, March 4. Trump, who is once again running for president, spoke for nearly two hours.
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/08/us/cop-city-explainer/index.html" target="_blank">violent protests</a> at the spot where authorities will soon begin construction of a massive police and fire training facility. Protesters have been camping out for months there, vowing to stop construction of the facility that they have dubbed "Cop City." Nearly two dozen people were arrested Sunday.

Smoke rises outside of Atlanta on Sunday, March 5, after there were violent protests at the spot where authorities will soon begin construction of a massive police and fire training facility. Protesters have been camping out for months there, vowing to stop construction of the facility that they have dubbed "Cop City." Nearly two dozen people were arrested Sunday.

Sean Keenan/The New York Times/Redux
//www.cnn.com/2022/12/23/asia/taliban-women-freedoms-intl/index.html" target="_blank">many women's rights have been eroded</a>.

A woman weaves a carpet at a factory in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Monday, March 6. Since the Taliban took over the country in August 2021, many women's rights have been eroded.

Ebrahim Noroozi/AP
People dressed as mermaids and mermen take part in a group swim Saturday, March 4, during the MerMagic Convention in Manassas, Virginia. The event bills itself as the world's largest mermaid convention.

People dressed as mermaids and mermen take part in a group swim Saturday, March 4, during the MerMagic Convention in Manassas, Virginia. The event bills itself as the world's largest mermaid convention.

Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/03/politics/medal-of-honor-paris-davis-us-army/index.html" target="_blank">heroism during the Vietnam War</a>. He was shot multiple times during a grueling firefight that lasted nearly 19 hours.

US President Joe Biden awards the Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. Paris Davis on Friday, March 3. Davis was recognized for his heroism during the Vietnam War. He was shot multiple times during a grueling firefight that lasted nearly 19 hours.

Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/05/asia/johor-malaysia-floods-intl-hnk/index.html" target="_blank">More than 40,000 people were displaced</a> by the seasonal floods.
A model presents a creation from Germanier during a Paris fashion show on Monday, March 6.

A model presents a creation from Germanier during a Paris fashion show on Monday, March 6.

Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images
//www.cnn.com/2022/10/14/asia/gallery/xi-jinping/index.html" target="_blank">Xi Jinping</a>, center, is applauded as he arrives for the second plenary session of the National's People Congress on Tuesday, March 7. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/09/china/china-xi-jinping-president-third-term-intl-hnk/index.html" target="_blank">His unprecedented third term as China's president</a> was officially endorsed by the country's political elite this week.
//www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/scores-evacuated-fire-erupts-hong-kong-skyscraper-2023-03-03/" target="_blank" target="_blank">according to the Reuters news agency</a>, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

A man takes video of an under-construction skyscraper that was on fire in Hong Kong on Friday, March 3. Dozens of people were evacuated from the building, according to the Reuters news agency, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Tyrone Siu/Reuters
San Diego State basketball coach Brian Dutcher falls back onto his players after helping to cut down the nets at their home arena on Saturday, March 4. The Aztecs were celebrating a regular-season conference championship.

San Diego State basketball coach Brian Dutcher falls back onto his players after helping to cut down the nets at their home arena on Saturday, March 4. The Aztecs were celebrating a regular-season conference championship.

Orlando Ramirez/USA Today
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/07/world/holi-2023-celebration-photos-cec/index.html" target="_blank">Holi reveler</a> is showered with colored powder during celebrations in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday, March 7.

A Holi reveler is showered with colored powder during celebrations in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday, March 7.

Indranil Mukherjee/AFP/Getty Images
Dancers wearing Christian Louboutin shoes perform on the sidelines of Paris Fashion Week to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Louboutin's famous red sole on Thursday, March 2.

Dancers wearing Christian Louboutin shoes perform on the sidelines of Paris Fashion Week to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Louboutin's famous red sole on Thursday, March 2.

Julien De Rosa/AFP/Getty Images
//www.cnn.com/2023/02/06/world/gallery/earthquake-turkey-syria-2023/index.html" target="_blank">7.8 magnitude earthquake</a> rocked Turkey and Syria last month.

A wedding album is seen among the rubble of a collapsed building in Hatay, Turkey, on Tuesday, March 7. Tens of thousands of people were killed after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Turkey and Syria last month.

Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/09/europe/turkey-protests-istanbul-international-womens-day-intl/index.html" target="_blank">Police had prevented the crowd from staging a march through the city center</a> after local authorities issued a statement saying it would not allow marches, protests or press statements.
Fireworks explode from a bull figure frame during a San Juan de Dios celebration in Tultepec, Mexico, on Wednesday, March 8.

Fireworks explode from a bull figure frame during a San Juan de Dios celebration in Tultepec, Mexico, on Wednesday, March 8.

Claudio Cruz/AFP/Getty Images
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/03/us/alex-murdaugh-sentencing-friday/index.html" target="_blank">he was sentenced to life in prison</a> for the murder of his wife and son.

Alex Murdaugh speaks with his legal team in Walterboro, South Carolina, on Friday, March 3, before he was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife and son.

Joshua Boucher/The State/AP/Pool
Two planes with the Roulettes, the Royal Australian Air Force's aerobatic display team, perform during an air show in Geelong, Australia, on Friday, March 3.

Two planes with the Roulettes, the Royal Australian Air Force's aerobatic display team, perform during an air show in Geelong, Australia, on Friday, March 3.

Paul Crock/AFP/Getty Images
A model and a robot perform during a Coperni fashion show in Paris on Friday, March 3.

A model and a robot perform during a Coperni fashion show in Paris on Friday, March 3.

Francois Durand/Getty Images
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/05/politics/joe-biden-selma-bloody-sunday/index.html" target="_blank">the 58th anniversary of the "Bloody Sunday" march</a> that galvanized the civil rights movement.

US President Joe Biden, center, prepares to walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on Sunday, March 5. US Rep. Terri Sewell, the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson joined him to commemorate the 58th anniversary of the "Bloody Sunday" march that galvanized the civil rights movement.

Patrick Semansky/AP
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/09/europe/ukraine-russia-missile-attack-kinzhal-intl/index.html" target="_blank">unprecedented array of missiles</a> on Thursday morning.

Three Russian rockets are seen in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Thursday, March 9. Russia showered major cities across Ukraine with what officials said was an unprecedented array of missiles on Thursday morning.

Vadim Belikov/AP
British athlete Jazmin Sawyers celebrates on the podium after she won the long jump at the European Indoor Championships on Sunday, March 5.

British athlete Jazmin Sawyers celebrates on the podium after she won the long jump at the European Indoor Championships on Sunday, March 5.

Dilara Senkaya/Reuters
//newsrebeat.com/world-news/149646.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">dances in front of the coffin of his partner</a>, Agnès Lassalle, as he pays tribute to her in front of a church in Biarritz, France, on Friday, March 3. Lassalle, a 53-year-old teacher, was stabbed to death during a class last month. After Voirin started dancing, <a href="https://twitter.com/F3Aquitaine/status/1631720098909102080" target="_blank" target="_blank">others began to join him</a>.
//www.cnn.com/2021/10/06/health/malaria-vaccine-who-intl/index.html" target="_blank">The pilot program</a>, coordinated by the World Health Organization, launched in 2019 and has provided the vaccine in child health clinics across Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.

Ruth Kavere and her 3-year-old granddaughter Faith use a mosquito net at their home in Mukuli, Kenya, on Tuesday, March 7, after Faith received doses of the malaria vaccine. The pilot program, coordinated by the World Health Organization, launched in 2019 and has provided the vaccine in child health clinics across Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.

Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/07/economy/powell-congressional-testimony-inflation/index.html" target="_blank">testifies before a US Senate committee</a> on Tuesday, March 7. After Powell delivered remarks about the economy, inflation and the Fed's actions to date, he was peppered with questions from committee members about a variety of topics. He told lawmakers the central bank will likely raise interest rates higher than previously forecast to fight inflation.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testifies before a US Senate committee on Tuesday, March 7. After Powell delivered remarks about the economy, inflation and the Fed's actions to date, he was peppered with questions from committee members about a variety of topics. He told lawmakers the central bank will likely raise interest rates higher than previously forecast to fight inflation.

Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Female army recruits attend a three-month training program at a military base in Bogota, Colombia, on Monday, March 6. After a 25-year ban, the Colombian army is once again allowing women to join its ranks through voluntary military service.

Female army recruits attend a three-month training program at a military base in Bogota, Colombia, on Monday, March 6. After a 25-year ban, the Colombian army is once again allowing women to join its ranks through voluntary military service.

Fernando Vergara/AP
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/09/europe/georgia-bill-protests-withdrawn-intl-hnk/index.html" target="_blank">withdrew a controversial "foreign influence" bill</a>. The legislation would have required organizations receiving 20% or more of their annual income from abroad to register as "foreign agents" or face heavy fines. Critics said it resembled similar laws used by Russia to stifle dissent and political opposition.

Protesters brandishing a European Union flag are sprayed by a water cannon as they clashes with riot police in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Tuesday, March 7. After two nights of protests, Georgia's ruling party withdrew a controversial "foreign influence" bill. The legislation would have required organizations receiving 20% or more of their annual income from abroad to register as "foreign agents" or face heavy fines. Critics said it resembled similar laws used by Russia to stifle dissent and political opposition.

AFP/Getty Images
Two storks with soaked plumage sit on their nest in Biebesheim am Rhein, Germany, on Wednesday, March 8.

Two storks with soaked plumage sit on their nest in Biebesheim am Rhein, Germany, on Wednesday, March 8.

Boris Roessler/dpa/AP
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/07/economy/france-pension-reform-strikes/index.html" target="_blank">radical reforms to the country's pension system</a> that, if implemented, would require most people in France to work two years longer before retirement.

People eating lunch watch protesters march in Toulouse, France, on Thursday, March 9. Many of France's largest unions have been protesting radical reforms to the country's pension system that, if implemented, would require most people in France to work two years longer before retirement.

Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
//www.cnn.com/2023/03/06/sport/enrique-llopis-fall-european-indoor-championships-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">had to be carried off on a stretcher</a> and taken to a hospital. He later appeared in a video posted on Twitter and said he would be OK.

Swiss hurdler Jason Joseph, second from right, wins the 60-meter final at the European Indoor Championships on Sunday, March 5. Spain's Enrique Llopis, left, fell just before the finish line and had to be carried off on a stretcher and taken to a hospital. He later appeared in a video posted on Twitter and said he would be OK.

Michael Buholzer/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
//www.cnn.com/2023/02/20/middleeast/israel-protests-knesset-judicial-reforms-bill-intl/index.html" target="_blank">overhaul the nation's judicial system</a> on Thursday, March 9.
This aerial photo shows a yacht moored on mudflats, revealed during the low tide, after the River Medway ebbed near Gillingham, England, on Thursday, March 2.

This aerial photo shows a yacht moored on mudflats, revealed during the low tide, after the River Medway ebbed near Gillingham, England, on Thursday, March 2.

Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty Images
//www.cnn.com/2023/02/06/world/gallery/earthquake-turkey-syria-2023/index.html" target="_blank">last month's devastating earthquake</a>, Anli stays with his family in a tent near their collapsed home. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2023/03/03/world/gallery/photos-this-week-february-23-march-2/index.html" target="_blank">See last week in 32 photos</a>.