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Telegram one of foreign messengers, cannot integrate with banks — Russian watchdog

It was reported that VTB plans to launch and develop its online bank not only in the Telegram messenger, but also on other popular platforms

MOSCOW, January 21. /TASS/. Telegram belongs to the category of foreign messengers according to the federal law 'On Information', which from March 1, 2023, will be prohibited from being used to transfer payment documents and personal data when providing services, the press service of Russia's media watchdog Roskomnadzor told TASS on Saturday.

The press service said that in accordance with the amendments to the law "On Information" adopted last year, from March 1, 2023, "a number of organizations in Russia will be prohibited from using such (foreign - TASS) instant messengers to transfer payment documents and personal data when providing services."

It was reported on Saturday that VTB plans to launch and develop its online bank not only in the Telegram messenger, but also on other popular platforms. This was reported in the official telegram channel of the credit institution.

VTB earlier announced the launch of its online banking services on Telegram messenger. The bank said the launch will take place in stages. Users will first have access to the most popular services, such as checking the balance of their cards and accounts in VTB, transferring money via the Faster Payment System, and paying for their mobile services. The bank plans to introduce QR payments later, as well as the ability to generate QR codes, a transaction history, transfers between accounts, and other options. VTB intends to provide clients with access to all day-to-day banking services and also usher in some digital products by the end of 2023.

Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe rise by 14% in 2024

In 2023, Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe stood at about 28.15 bln cubic meters

Shooting in cafe in Montenegro leaves seven dead — media

According to the local police department, a 45-year-old man

Russian Armed Forces made more than 1,500 strikes by precision weapons in 2024

At least five mass strikes were also delivered from the beginning of the last year.

Ukraine loses over 46,460 troops since start of fighting in Kursk area

The Russian Defense Ministry also added that Russian forces repelled six counterattacks by Ukrainian assault teams in the past day

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He recalled that in their honor, as well as in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War

Cybertruck explosion unrelated to pickup truck malfunction — Musk

All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion, he added.

Over 1 mln members of Ukrainian armed forces killed or wounded since start of special op

Data obtained from the Russian defense ministry’s daily bulletins and other open-access information from its officials indicates that Kiev lost some 595,000 troops as killed or wounded in action in 2024

Ukraine attacks 13 residential areas in Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

According to regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, the attacks damaged 15 private houses, four apartment buildings, five cars, three garages and a powerline

Authorities investigate Cybertruck explosion as potential terrorist act

Investigators have not yet ascertained definitely the cause of the explosion

UN agency points to record-high number of Israeli settlers-related incidents in West Bank

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs pointed out that some 160,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, had been killed or injured in Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023

New Orleans attacker identified as 42-year-old US citizen Shamsud Din Jabbar — FBI

The incident is being investigated by the Bureau, which has classified the incident as a terrorist attack

Ukrainian army lost over 445 servicemen in Kursk Region over day

"Losses of the Ukrainian armed forces totaled more than 445 servicemen; an armored personnel carrier, thirteen armored combat vehicles, and twenty-two motor vehicles were destroyed," the ministry said

Almost 1,000 vehicles burned down in France in New Year night

Hooligans burned down 690 vehicles last year, earlier reports said

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Russia has celebrated New Year and Christmas with decorated fir trees since Peter the Great’s reign

Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe rise by 14% in 2024

In 2023, Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe stood at about 28.15 bln cubic meters

Russian Foreign Ministry gives Israeli ambassador talking-to over critical remarks

According to the ministry, a rebuttal to Simona Halperin’s statements was posted on its official website

Hungary lost one billion euro of EU funding due to violation of statute law supremacy

Funds were intended for implementation of the development program of the EU region by 2027

Putin congratulates foreign leaders on New Year and Christmas

The list did not include the leaders of the UK, Germany, the US, France, Japan, and other large states unfriendly to Russia

German lawmaker slams Ukrainian diplomat for demanding more weapons

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Perpetrator of New Orleans attack had IS flag, terrorist links being investigated — FBI

The IS flag was located in the vehicle and the FBI is working to determine the subject's potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations

At least ten dead as vehicle plows into crowd in New Orleans

30 people suffered injuries, the local authorities said

Ukrainian troops attempt unsuccessful counterattack in DPR — republic’s head

The adversary attempted a counterattack with several of these attempts resulting in enemy losses

Russia not satisfied with Trump team’s proposals on Ukraine — Lavrov

At the same time, Lavrov noted that Moscow has not received any official signals from the United States on the Ukrainian settlement at the moment

Kiev’s newly built host airfields for F-16s to be wiped out before paint dries — experts

It is noted that the Russian Armed Forces will wait until the construction work reaches a certain point and then carry out strikes to destroy what has been built

Russia bans mining in ten regions from January 1

The ban was introduced in Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachai-Circassia, North Ossetia, Chechnya, Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions

Russia open to talks on Ukraine, agreement must be ironclad — Lavrov

"I would like to particularly emphasize that this can only be about reliable, legally binding agreements which must remove the root causes of the conflict and enshrine the mechanism of the impossibility to violate them," he explained.

Cybertruck explosion may be terrorist act — Musk

One person died and seven others were wounded as a result of the Cybertruck explosion on Wednesday

Palestine’s authorities suspend Al Jazeera broadcasting in its territory

The management of Al Jazeera has not yet commented on this decision of Palestinian authorities

Slovakia sees Russia’s readiness for peace, ready to host talks — Fico’s party

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Brazil as BRICS chair to focus on partner relations — expert

Speaking about the content of the Brazilian presidency, the expert noted that Brazil, like Russia, was in favor of de-dollarization

No major incidents during New Year celebrations in Russia

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Israeli military wounded four people in West Bank — WAFA

The Israeli special troops assaulted an Old City district in Nablus

Russian diplomat highlights Moscow’s main achievement of past years

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Russia's newest Su-57 fighter jet superior to China's new J-35 — test pilot

Sergey Bogdan emphasized that the newest Russian fighter was a "magnificent platform for a future generation of configurations, just as the Su-27 aircraft in its heyday"

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About 1,900 birds affected by fuel oil rescued in Anapa after tanker crash

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Authorities checking potential link between New Orleans, Las Vegas incidents — Biden

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Russian air defenses down Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft — Defense Ministry

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Critical infrastructure suffers damage in Kiev-controlled part of Kherson Region

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Ukraine loses up to 1,050 troops in all areas of special military operation in past day

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Russian human rights commissioner reports meeting with Ukrainian counterpart

In exchange, 150 prisoners of war of the Ukrainian armed forces returned home

OPEC+ plans to continue voluntary oil output cuts of 2.2 mln bpd in Q1 2025

According to the new oil output restoration schedule published on the OPEC website, the production increase is planned for the period from April 2025 to the end of September 2026

Russia withdraws from agreement on multilateral nuclear environmental program

The agreement also involved Belgium, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the UK, as well as EURATOM and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

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The Cybertruck design made it possible to significantly reduce the damage, Kevin McMahill noted

Attacker in New Orleans incident recorded videos with threats — Biden

The FBI reported to him the killer was an American citizen, born in Texas, served in the US Army on active duty for many years

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Also, the Russian president instructed to develop and submit to the State Duma a federal law "On the languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation" until May 1

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At the same time, it is advised to use drug treatment and psychotherapy

Scientists present Russia's first 50-qubit cold atom quantum computer — MSU

The experiment that allowed testing the supercomputer prototype took place on December 19, the Moscow State University said

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Serbia not joining NATO for obvious reasons, says President Vucic

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Terrorist in New Orleans was carrying IS flag

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Durov explains blocking of Russian media’s Telegram channels by EU laws

He also noted that "all Western media Telegram channels remain freely accessible in Russia

Biden instructs to help with investigating explosion in Las Vegas

The president was also informed about the latest developments in the investigation into the attack in New Orleans

Putin congratulates Nepomnyashchy upon victory in World Blitz Chess Championship

The Russian president wished the chess player strong health, success and good fortune in 2025

India, Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear facilities, inmates

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Monthly minimum wage in Russia to rise to $226.4 in 2025

The statutory monthly minimum wage is the minimum salary of Russians before deducting personal income tax

Putin addresses Russians with New Year's greetings from Kremlin

Putin's New Year's address will be shown before midnight local time in all time zones

Houthi movement strikes US aircraft carrier — spokesperson

The US forces were preparing a "major strike" against the Yemen’s territory

Russian troops liberate Novoelenovka settlement in Donetsk People's Republic

At the same time, the Russian Armed Forces hit energy facilities of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, airfields, storage depots, command posts, and launch sites for attack drones over the day

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President expects Bolivia to obtain new opportunities as BRICS partner state

According to Luis Arce, it will make possible for the country to expand and diversify trade relations with growing markets

Russian gas transit through Ukraine stops completely — gas operators

Russia’s gas giant Gazprom said that Kiev’s refusal to extend a gas transit deal with Moscow had forced the Russian company to stop gas transit on January 1

At least 11 people suffer injuries in shooting incident in New York

Police are looking for the suspect

Four people may be involved in terrorist act in New Orleans — news agency

Their detention is not reported

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Ten died and 35 injured people were reported earlier

FACTBOX: Celebrities who passed away in 2024

Many well-known politicians, statesmen, scientists and cultural figures passed away in 2024

Haitian people face neocolonial challenges from outside — Russian Foreign Ministry

Russian-Haitian cooperation is based on the principles of friendship, equality and respect for sovereignty, the ministry said in a statement

Tesla investigates Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas — Musk

One person died and seven others were wounded as a result of the Cybertruck explosion on Wednesday

Eight Palestainians die of hypothermia in refugee camps in Gaza — TV

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FBI looks for possible accomplices of New Orleans attacker

The FBI has set up a digital tip line and is asking anyone with information or video of the incident to share it

Montenegrin authorities to discuss complete ban on weapons possession

The government of Montenegro made the decision to declare January 2-4 as days of mourning

Bombs with power of 13 kilos of trotyle found in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria

An active accomplice of bandits was detained in the search operation and gave confessing testimony

Murderer in Montenegro died after suicide attempt

The attacker died from sustained injuries when being transported to a medical institution

The world's most legendary tanks

On September 15, 2016, the tank turns 100

Gas supplies to household consumers suspended in Transnistria

The authorities in both Moldova and Transnistria have declared emergencies

Clashes between Palestianians, Israeli troops take place in West Bank — TV

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INTERVIEW: US applies Ukrainian scenario to pressure China — Lavrov

"We do not make assumptions about the plans of the future US administration", Russian Foreign Minister said

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

FBI confirms death of hit-and-run driver in New Orleans

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is working with partners to look into the details of this terrorist attack

No connection between Cybertruck explosion and Islamic State

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Belarus’ presidential election enters first day of campaigning

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China, Russia move ahead avoiding confrontation — Xi Jinping

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Putin approves Russia’s development goals by 2030

The Cabinet is to finalize and approve an integrated plan for achievement of national development goals for the period by 2030 and in the longer term by 2036 by February 15 of this year

FBI identifies driver of Cybertruck that exploded in Las Vegas

According to KTNV, the suspect was an army veteran

Press review: Putin discusses EU gas supplies and Russia open to Ukraine talks with Trump

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 27th

Two militants killed while preparing terrorist attack against Kadyrov

They had arrived in Grozny on instructions from warlord Doku Umarov

Ukraine’s 2014 coup was CIA’s political mistake — Putin

The Russian president noted that the US agency had achieved its goal of changing the government but failed to see what it would evolve into

Israeli attacks kill 12 people in Gaza in past two days — enclave’s Health Ministry

Over 40 people suffered injuries in the past 48 hours, the enclave’s Health Ministry said in a statement

Concern mounts in Netherlands about superbug from Ukraine

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Montenegro’s police mobilized for apprehending cafe shooter — prime minister

The prime minister declared three days of mourning

Over 20 Ukrainian drones attack Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

The attack left two civilians injured, while two cars were damaged

Russian paratroopers destroyed three Ukrainian tanks by drones

Russian paratroopers destroyed vehicles in Kursk region

Russia’s Gazprom stops gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine as transit deal expires

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Ten people killed in Israel’s army attack against refugee camp — TV

According to its information, the Israeli army delivered a strike against a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in the Al-Mawasi