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Russians not getting TikTok back any time soon — minister

Forbes said earlier that some TikTok users were able to access new content in Russia in late 2023 - early 2024

ST. PETERSBURG, January 29. /TASS/. The full resumption of TikTok services in Russia has not been discussed yet, Minister for Digital Development Maksut Shadaev told reporters.

TikTok suspended video streaming and posting services in Russia on March 6, 2022 because of the law on spreading false information about the Russian army. Russian users also cannot view videos from other countries. "No, not yet," the minister said.

Forbes said earlier that some TikTok users were able to access new content in Russia in late 2023 - early 2024, and businesses began to be able to launch targeting advertising on the site.

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Internet & Telecom

Russian economy growing despite unprecedented sanctions — Putin

The Russian leader added that all objectives set forth for Russia in the near future and the long-term perspective will be fulfilled

Russia extends higher duties on goods from unfriendly countries until 2025 year-end

Renewal of measures was caused by continued effect of sanctions of unfriendly countries against Russia, the Ministry of Economic Development noted

At least four countries provide assistance to Syria’s armed opposition — Iranian general

In late November, armed opposition units launched a large-scale offensive on positions held by Syrian government forces in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces

Syria truce plan crushes Turkish president’s aggressive intentions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a live broadcast of Turkey’s national television on Wednesday that the Syria truce deal was a "dishonest" step as it ignored Ankara’s position

All Russian parliamentary parties support measures to protect civilians in Donbass — Putin

The Russian president said it speaking at the session of the United Russia ruling political party

Argentinian president Javier Milei granted Italy’s citizenship

The request was considered on a fast-track basis

Trump suggests that European troops monitor potential ceasefire in Ukraine — report

It is noted that Europe should play the main role in defending and supporting Ukraine

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine to Sudzha totals 42.4 mcm

The volume of supplies has not changed despite the statements on suspended flows of Russian gas to Austria’s OMV

Hungary hopes Ukraine will agree to Christmas truce — foreign minister

Peter Szijjarto pointed out that during the main Christian holiday, "peace always comes first," but hostilities between Russia and Ukraine continue

NATO looking to divide up Western Ukraine among members — Russian diplomat

"No NATO ally would ever receive the copious amounts of [funds and weapons] that non-member Ukraine has," Maria Zakharova argued

Crowds of protesters gather at Georgian Parliament’s building amid presidential election

Georgia is holding the presidential election on Saturday

IAF unleashes 1,800 bombs on 500 targets, crippling Syria's air defenses — media

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Press review: Medvedev talks Ukraine with Xi and Houthis intensify attacks on Israel

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 13th

No interaction with CIA on Syria, Russian intel chief says

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Swiss lawmakers receive threatening letters over death of children in Gaza

The Bern Cantonal Police are investigating the incident

Putin meets with former President of Kazakhstan Nazarbayev

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New Georgian president to be free from foreign influence — parliament speaker

According to Shalva Papuashvili, after the December 29 inauguration, Georgia will have a president focused on the country, its people, and respect for the constitution

Russian forces quickly break through Ukraine's weakened positions in Donbass — newspaper

The New York Times also said that the test of Russia's newest Oreshnik hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile has increased pressure on Kiev and its allies

Fines to Viber messenger in Russia total more than $17,402 over past two years — official

Anton Nemkin noted that fraudsters most often choose Viber for their schemes due to its wide popularity among retired people

Su-57 fifth-generation fighter may get flat nozzle for stealth purposes — pilot

The flat nozzle technology is a breakthrough in modern aircraft-building, Major-General Vladimir Popov noted

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Distrust in political parties grows among Donbass residents — DPR leader

The DPR residents believe that Ukraine's former ruling party, The Party of Regions, abandoned them, Denis Pushilin noted

South Korean Parliament upholds impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol

The formal impeachment procedure regarding President Yoon Suk Yeol will now have to be approved by the Constitutional Court within 180 days

NYT predicts Ukraine conflict will end in 2025

The article points out that Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election will serve to expedite the peace talks

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The issue of Russian bases in Syria is linked to the negotiating process between the Russians and Syria’s new authorities, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said

Ukraine loses over 200 troops in Kursk area over past day — top brass

Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian army’s losses also one tank, one US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, one armored combat vehicle, seven motor vehicles

Ukraine refuses to allow Russian gas to transit through its territory — Moldovan Deputy PM

"Ukraine will not agree to preserve transit for Hungary and the Republic of Moldova only," Oleg Serebrian noted

West deliberately foments conflicts everywhere, Medvedev says

The Russian senior official noted that the West has always sought to prevent nations from cooperating and provoked rivalry and disagreements

Several missile attacks on Donetsk attempted by Ukrainian troops

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Georgian president declares she will not give up presidency

Georgia will hold its presidential election on December 14 and the new president will be inaugurated on December 29

US wants to supply Kiev with 'massive quantities of weapons' before Biden steps down

According to one of the TV channel's sources, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has been entrusted with the coordination of this work

Druze in Syrian border village opt for 'lesser evil,' seek Israeli rule

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Battlegroup East Commander Lieutenant General Andrey Ivanayev reported to the defense minister that the Battlegroup’s units had liberated seven communities over the month and gained control of an area of more than 300 square kilometers

Calling all residents of Ukraine 'Ukrainians' not accurate, Medvedev says

The Russian senior official pointed out that the very word "Ukrainians" did not take on its modern ethnic meaning until the mid-19th century

New Syrian leader gives Russia chance to review relations with Syria

Ahmed al-Sharaa also said that the country's new authorities will not enter into a conflict with Israel

Ukrainian losses exceed 40,260 troops: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

According to the report, Russian operational/tactical and army aircraft, missile forces hit enemy manpower and equipment in the Kursk and Sumy regions

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Russia vows response to Austria's severing of gas partnership — ambassador

"It was Vienna that suddenly declared our long-standing gas partnership a historical mistake, thereby destroying one of the key pillars of our bilateral relations and business ties," Dmitry Lyubinsky recalled

Russia thwarts Ukrainian attempt to attack Donetsk with long-range missiles

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French president names Francois Bayrou as new prime minister

Bayrou, aged 73, takes over from Michel Barnier, who also shares the same age and stepped down after France’s lower house passed a successful no-confidence motion against his cabinet on December 4

Turkey’s embassy in Syria resumes operations — TV channel

It has been closed since March 2012

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He claimed that the newly-established Ministry of Unity will work on repatriation of these people

Russia targets digital tech partnerships with EAEU, Asia — rating

Latin American and African countries make up the second and third groups

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The report highlights that, in addition to a manpower deficit, Kiev may also face critical shortages of ammunition and weapons

Bashar Assad's son graduates with honors from Moscow State University — newspaper

Hafez Assad was handed his diploma by the rector of the university, Viktor Sadovnichy, along with other Syrian students who also graduated from MSU

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An air alert has been declared across the entire country

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Presidential election in Georgia is completed as over half of electoral college cast votes

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The global prestige of Washington is steadily declining, Sergey Naryshkin emphasized

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Kiev approves attracting $15 bln of Russian-asset backed funds from IBRD

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EU foreign ministers to approve new package of anti-Russian sanctions on December 16

On Wednesday, permanent representatives of 27 EU countries endorsed the 15th package of sanctions against Russia related to the conflict in Ukraine

US to continue efforts to impair Russian oil revenues — Treasury Secretary

Washington and its allies also could consider lowering the oil price cap on Russian oil, , US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said

Lula da Silva says he is ready to get back to performing duties of head of state

Social media and outlets have also posted a video showing the Brazilian leader walking a hospital corridor with his neurosurgeon

UNSC still paralyzed on Palestinian issue due to US’ veto — Russian foreign ministry

The ministry recalled that on December 11 the UN General Assembly adopted by the overwhelming majority of votes two resolutions

Powerful explosions go off in Damascus — source

According to Al Manar television, the explosions were caused by Israeli shelling

Israeli jets strike Syrian military sites in Latakia, Tartus — report

According to the report, the strikes hit command centers and military depots that were used by the Syrian armed forces

Kremlin says it approves of Trump’s criticism of strikes inside Russia

Earlier, Trump slammed the decision which he said had been approved by the Biden administration to allow Ukraine to use US-made weapons for strikes deep into Russian territory as "crazy"

Trump team could reject Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO — report

According to the report, the move could prompt Russia to agree to talks on settling the Ukrainian conflict

Georgia to hold presidential election on Saturday

The electoral college consists of 300 members, including 150 members of the Georgian Parliament, 21 and 20 representatives of the Supreme Councils of Adjara and Abkhazia, respectively, as well as deputies from local authorities

Medvedev accuses West of seeking to eradicate Russian language in Ukraine

According to the politician, Kiev is being "hand-fed" by countries of the collective West

Russian troops strike Kiev airport used to train F-16 pilots — politician

"The Russian army hit hangars and warehouses at the site, with secondary detonations continuing for up to two hours," Vladimir Rogov said

UNESCO chief’s report on journalist safety not approved amid heavy backlash

"In a first for the IPDC Intergovernmental Council, the report was not adopted but merely taken note of," he said

Medvedev says US wants Taiwan to be its outpost in East Asia

According to the official, the plan is "quite in line with Washington's aspirations to bring the Asia-Pacific region into NATO's orbit and pit states against each other"

Ukraine loses its population, Ukrainians choose Russia, politician says

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, even some representatives of the current government acknowledge that the state policy regarding the support of internally displaced persons has actually failed

Ukraine to attempt new offensive in late December on Zelensky’s initiative — blogger

He did not disclose in which direction the Ukrainian troops will attempt their advance

TOS-1A Solntsepyok-1A ammunition creates long-lived shock wave — Rostec

The state corporation specified that the Solntsepyok munition creates a very high temperature, burning everything that can burn

Russia, US maintain interaction on prisoner swaps

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that there are several confidential channels of interaction between Moscow and Washington

Ukraine to lose third of territory, get no invitation to NATO — Slovak PM

Robert Fico also emphasized that the conflict's repercussions would significantly impact Ukraine's internal stability

Russia sole heir to Ancient Rus — Security Council Deputy Chairman

Dmitry Medvedev criticized as "delusional" the so-called "Rus-Ukraine" paradigm, popularized by Ukrainian historian Mikhail Grushevsky "and his chauvinistic and xenophobic supporters" in the early twentieth century

Kremlin confirms recent strikes on Ukraine’s energy system part retaliation for Taganrog

Earlier on Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Russia’s Armed Forces had launched high-precision strikes on Ukraine’s fuel and energy infrastructure, which generates power for its defense sector, in response to the attack on the Taganrog airfield with ATACMS missiles earlier this week

Trump team in talks with US, Ukrainian officials about ending conflict - report

Trump’s advisers and cabinet nominees have yet to present a specific settlement plan, according to the report

Access to Viber messenger restricted in Russia — media watchdog

Viber is a messaging and voice communication app developed by Viber Media

Situation with payments for gas transit via Bulgaria to be settled — Szijjarto

Hungary and Bulgaria set the task for themselves "to find such legal and financial solution" of this problem that will enable making payments for the Russian gas and will be acceptable for all the parties, Peter Szijjarto said later on the air with M1 television

Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria

Russia is ready to deal a new blow to terrorists if they again try to break peace in Syria, the president said

IN BRIEF: Ex-Ukrainian intel officer’s car blown up in northern Moscow

The explosion occurred in a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado off-road vehicle parked on Korovinskoye highway in the north of Moscow, when the driver started the SUV

Russian forces trap Ukrainian battlegroup near Kurakhovo in DPR — security official

The kill zone stretches for more than four kilometers (2.5 miles)

World heading towards major changes, says Hungarian PM

According to Viktor Orban, these changes will impact the entire Western civilization as they "will take a long time in historical terms, leading from war to peace"

Belarus aims for good-neighborly relations, but will protect sovereignty at all costs

Alexander Volfovich noted that border security and other structures are ready to protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of the republic

Russia hits Ukraine's power grid after Kiev attacks airfield in Taganrog with ATACMS

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the attack was carried out with the help of high-precision long-range airborne and sea-based weapons, as well as strike drones

Russian assets worth around 3.5 bln euro blocked in Germany — ministry

The German Finance Ministry’s spokesman said at the end of December 2023 that the authorities had frozen Russian assets totaling about 4.1 bln euro

Mikhail Kavelashvili elected as 6th president of Georgia

A total of 224 members of the 300-member electoral college cast their votes in favor of Kavelashvili

Eurasian Economic Union falls short of 2014 founding vision — Belarusian PM

Member-countries of the association have not yet resolved all the issues they set for themselves, Roman Golovchenko said

Slovakia negotiating continued gas supplies through Ukraine — PM

The situation with gas supplies will be solved in coming days "at various levels in various countries", the republic’s Prime Minister Robert Fico said

Russia seeks return of national flag, anthem at int’l competitions — new ROC chief

Mikhail Degtyarev replaces previous ROC chief Stanislav Pozdnyakov

Damascus, Aleppo airports resume operations, but so far only under special permits

The restriction period is set from 8:00 p.m. GMT on December 12 to 3:00 p.m. GMT on December 18

Ankara’s strategic goal is to exterminate Kurdish forces in Syria — top Turkish diplomat

Turkey’s authorities said earlier that they plan to complete the establishment of a buffer zone in northern Syria

Putin extends Russia’s anti-'oil price cap' measures until June 30, 2025 — decree

The decree on retaliatory measures against the oil price cap initially came into effect on February 1, 2023, and was originally intended to last until July 1, 2023, but has been extended multiple times since then

Press review: Russia's role in Syria questioned and UN hints at a possible SC summit

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