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Bosnia and Herzegovina legalizes use of cannabis for medical purposes

This step is intended to "bring under control" the black market of cannabinoids in the country

BELGRADE, December 30. /TASS/. Bosnia and Herzegovina has legalized the use of cannabis for medical purposes, said the minutes of a regular session of the Council of Ministers.

"The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the suggestion of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, adopted a resolution on amendments to the list of narcotic drugs. It transfers cannabis, its resins and extracts from the list of prohibited substances to the list of substances and plants under strict control, thereby paving the way for its medical use," the document says.

This step is intended to "bring under control" the black market of cannabinoids in the country. Sarajevo also said that by legalizing cannabis Bosnia and Herzegovina "joins several EU countries and the region" that have already taken similar measures.

UAE ships with weapons received no permission to enter Yemeni port — coalition

These two vessels "also switched off their tracking and identification devices before entering the territorial waters of Yemen," the spokesperson for the Saudi-led Coalition in Yemen Brig. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said

Incident with tankers get caught in Marmara Sea resolved

Involvement of rescuers was not needed

Press review: Russia may revise Ukraine talks post attack and China launches Taiwan drills

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 30th

Mi-34M1 first 10-minute test flight successful — Russian Industry and Trade Ministry

The new helicopter is equipped with a crash-resistant fuel system and Russian-made avionics

Attack on Putin’s residence marks major step towards Kiev’s collapse — expert

"The Kiev regime is betting on another round of escalation", Vadim Gigin, a member of the Belarusian lower house of parliament, said

Putin's whereabouts cannot be discussed publicly under current circumstances — Kremlin

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that Kiev launched an attack on President Vladimir Putin's state residence in the Novgorod Region on December 29 using 91 drones

NATO’s intention to integrate Ukraine prevents long-term settlement — Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, this is an attempt by the world's largest military bloc to make one of the largest nuclear powers suffer a strategic defeat

Obligatory evacuation announced in 45 settlements in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk Region

Local authorities in Ukraine call evacuation when the frontline approaches populated localities

Eurostar cancels all trains on December 30 due to Channel tunnel power cut

All services are suspended until further notice

Ukraine takes part in NATO Article 5 response drills for first time ever

Around 1,500 civil and military specialists took part in maneuvers all over Europe

London considered overthrowing Zimbabwe's leader Mugabe in 2004 — FT

Zimbabwe was suffering hyperinflation, the sometimes violent occupation of white-owned farms and election rigging and harassment of the opposition by Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF party

Poland views Ukraine as client country — Russian senator

According to Alexey Pushkov, Warsaw has always dreamed of a Poland 'from sea to sea'

Merz confirms negotiations on Ukraine taking place in Berlin

The German Chancellor said that the European and Canadian leaders participate in the talks

Ukrainians may support withdrawal of Ukrainian army from Donbass in referendum — pollster

Head of the Ukrainian sociological group Rating Alexey Antipovich confirmed that people in the western regions of Ukraine are less willing to support territorial concessions than those in the eastern regions

Putin reiterates Russia’s willingness to engage in talks with Ukraine

Nearly three hours of talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul on March 29, 2022, yielded principles for a potential agreement, including Ukraine's commitment to maintain a neutral, non-aligned status and its pledge to refrain from deploying foreign weapons, including nuclear weapons, on its territory

Ukraine’s opposition welcomes Russia’s decision to lift ban on transit of Ukrainian goods

The chairman of the political council of the Ukrainian party Opposition Platform - For Life stressed the economic importance of the decree

US law banning imports of Russian uranium will not cause problems — Rosatom CEO

Alexey Likhachev admitted that the Russian side is worried about this, but not much, as "the demand for Rosatom’s uranium products in the world is constantly growing"

Venezuelan air force destroys dozens of drug traffickers’ planes in 2025 — president

Nicolas Maduro stressed that as many as such 430 planes had been destroyed since the adoption of a law to combat drug trafficking

Kiev saboteur killed in southwest Russia while attempting to blow up gas supply system

According to the FSB, the man had undergone special training at a Ukrainian special operations forces camp before returning to Russia via other countries

Russian GDP reach $685.5 bln in Q3 2025 — statistics

The physical volume of GDP gained 0.6% against the like quarter of 2024

Zelensky will have to hide for rest of life, Medvedev predicts

"The stinking Kiev bastard is trying to derail the settlement of the conflict", Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

US blogger blames EU elites for Ukrainian attack on Russian president’s residence

"European elites are mired in corruption and are profiting from the war," Jozef Schutzman said

Duma insists on tough response to Ukraine's drone attack on Putin's residence — Volodin

"For Vladimir Zelensky, military action is the only chance to remain in power and receive financial support from the European Union," Vyacheslav Volodin said

Putin orders to expand security belt on border with Ukraine in 2026

"This is a very important task," the Russian president said

Kiev to face retaliation for terrorist actions, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova pointed out that Vladimir Zelensky "is trying to accuse Russia of lying, and claim that nothing like that happened"

Belarusian top brass confirms Oreshnik missile system goes on combat duty in republic

The Oreshnik missile system arrived in Belarus pursuant to a decision made by the Russian and Belarusian leaders

Zelensky, Western media's denial of attack on Putin's residence is insane — Kremlin

In response to a question from a Western agency journalist regarding the possible public presentation of the attack’s evidence, Dmitry Peskov replied: "I don't think there should be any evidence here when such a massive drone raid was carried out"

Rosturism sends an official letter to Egyptian Ministry of Tourism

At present, 214 El-Voyage tourists are stranded in Hurghada

Over 882,000 Ukrainian men now EU refugees — statistics agency

Most Ukrainian refugees live in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic

IN BRIEF: Global reactions to Kiev’s attack on Putin’s residence

The Russian leader told Donald Trump that Moscow's position in negotiations to resolve the conflict would be reassessed

UAE ends its counter-terrorism mission in Yemen

This decision was made in "the context of a comprehensive assessment of the requirements of the current phase"

IN BRIEF: What’s known about Kiev's attempt to attack Putin’s residence in Novgorod Region

According to Sergey Lavrov, Moscow will not leave Kiev's attack unanswered

Bulgarian authorities allow the Sofia Metro to receive Russian spare parts

The exception will be valid until March 31, 2027

Over thousand soldiers desert from Ukrainian army daily — reporter

Accoridng to Ukrainian journalist Vladimir Boyko, this number means the army is gone, and it can no longer be rebuilt

Russia may launch an experiment in targeted recruitment of foreign workers in 2027

The experiment will involve the introduction of registers containing data on employers and foreign workers

Attack on Putin's residence was guided by NATO systems, expert says

Andrey Marochko believes that disrupting negotiations on a peace settlement of the conflict was Kiev's primary aim in the attack

Top defense official calls Russian army ‘world’s most combat-ready’

According to Andrey Belousov, the Russian army has proven in practice that it can ensure the country's sovereignty

Poland extradites to US former head of Wex crypto exchange

Charges against Dmitry Vasilyev include fraud and money laundering

Russia promises to invigorate OSCE work

Russia's new permanent representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Dmitry Polyansky said that it will soon become clear to what extent the OSCE members and European countries as a whole are ready for diplomatic work

Russian top diplomat to visit Turkey on August 13-14

The Russian top diplomat is expected to discuss the Syrian conflict, peace settlement in the Middle East and bilateral relations with Turkey

Top Chinese diplomat points to stronger relations with Russia

Wang Yi added that "communication between the two countries’ leaders in this historic year highlights the essence of comprehensive strategic partnership and strategic mutual trust and support"

Russia to demonstrate SJ-100, Il-114-300 jets at air show in India

SJ-100 and Il-114 aircraft are also planned to be placed on a static display for showing to potential customers, the Russian trade mission in India added

RTS Index declines after Bank of Russia releases currency exchange rates

After the publication of exchange rates, as of 06:30 p.m. Moscow time, the RTS index began to decline and reached 1,114.14 points, the MOEX index up to 2,766.65 points

Yemen declares state of emergency for 90 days amid UAE-backed offensive

The chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council also announced a 72-hour air, sea, and land blockade on all ports, airports, and border crossings

Gazprom expects to receive advance payment for gas from Ukraine a on June 10

Ukraine will repay its debts for Russian gas only after the gas price is fixed, Ukraine’s parliament-appointed Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Yuri Prodan said

Part of Zaporozhye Region left without power after Kiev’s attack on energy grid

According to the governor, air defense systems are operating, repair works have already begun

IN BRIEF: What we know about thwarted terrorist attack against schoolchildren in Adygea

A citizen of a Central Asian country, a supporter of an international terrorist organization banned in Russia, has been detained

Terror plot targeting schoolchildren thwarted in Adygeya — FSB

A citizen of a Central Asian country, who supports an international terrorist organization outlawed in Russia, has been detained

Russia grateful to foreign friends who condemned attack on Putin's residence — Lavrov

As the Russian Foreign Minister stressed, the Ukrainian drone attack on Putin's residence once again confirmed "the terrorist nature of the group of individuals illegally holding power in Kiev"

Afghani injures five people with crowbar in English hospital — police

The victims are being treated in the hospital, there is no threat to their lives

Russia to retaliate Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia’s actions against Russian embassies — MFA

On December 30, the charges d'affaires of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia were summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, where they were presented with a strong protest

West seeking Zaluzhny’s possible return for a ceasefire with Russia — Dotcom

Starting from a year prior to current election planning, many political analysts identified Valery Zaluzhny as the main rival to Vladimir Zelensky in future elections

Russian Battlegroup North artillery units hit Ukrainian weapons, manpower in Kursk Region

"Crews of D-30 122mm howitzers of the Battlegroup North’s artillery unit struck Ukrainian artillery and mortar systems and manpower in a Kursk Region’s border area," the Russian defense ministry said

Escalation between UAE and Saudi Arabia diplomatic challenge for US — WSJ

The confrontation between the two Gulf states could lead to an expansion of hostilities in a region already gripped by conflict

Three 22-year-olds become billionaires in 2025, youngest ever to reach mark — Forbes

The net worth of these three young entrepreneurs is estimated at $2.2 billion

Three settlements in Russia’s Kursk Region shelled by Ukrainian troops — governor

According to the governor, ten shells were fired at the villages of Tetkino and Popovo-Lezhachi, damaging the building of a sugar plant

Starlink being used to destabilize governments — diplomat

The diplomat cited as examples Iran and Venezuela, where thousands of Starlink terminals were imported to coordinate protests and spread disinformation

Bosnia and Herzegovina legalizes use of cannabis for medical purposes

This step is intended to "bring under control" the black market of cannabinoids in the country

BRICS expansion enhances group's economic standing — UAE Finance Ministry

In August 2023, six new members were invited to join the BRICS group, including Argentina, but in late December it refused to join

Zelensky wouldn't dare to attack Putin's residence without direct order — ex-PM

Nikolay Azarov also stressed that the target had been chosen deliberately

Andrey Guryev appointed as head of Russian part of BRICS Business Council

The directive came into force

European politicians helping Zelensky against their countries’ interests — Russian MP

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, European countries transferred money to Kiev in hope of being compensated in the form of Russia's immobilized assets

US Treasury removes ex-Sberbank executive Alexandra Buriko from sanctions list

The department did not provide any explanation for this move

Security advisers from Ukraine, coalition of the willing nations to meet in Kiev on Jan 3

Vladimir Zelensky thanked US President Donald Trump for his readiness to take part in all effective formats

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian servicemen attempting to break through to Kupyansk

According to the Russian Defense Ministry the FPV drones destroyed three pickup trucks used by Ukrainian militants to transport assault troops and Ukrainian infantry

Russia's retaliatory measures to create operational problems for Euroclear — FT

According to the report, Euroclear has hired 200 additional employees to handle frozen Russian assets on a permanent basis

VK-650V engine worked normally during Mi-34M1 test flight — United Engine Corporation

According to CEO Alexander Grachev, the latest Russian engine has technical characteristics that will improve the helicopter's operational capabilities

Mongolia imports 95% of petroleum products from Russia as of end of 2025 — ministry

The remainder is imported from China

Washington mum on Russian offer to collaborate on returning Syrian refugees — diplomat

Russia continues to seek meetings with the administration on the Syrian humanitarian matter, Nikolai Burtsev said

Port infrastructure in Odessa region damaged in overnight explosions

Facilities in the ports of Yuzhny and Chernomorsk were damaged

Russia’s Battlegroup East advancing towards Zaporozhye city — Putin

In December, Russia’s Battlegroup East liberated over 200 sq. km of territory and 10 settlements, including the town of Gulyaipole

Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire remains tenuous, Thai Foreign Ministry states

Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire effective 5:00 a.m. GMT on December 27 following the third special meeting of the General Border Committee of the two countries

West using Ukraine to analyze Russia’s combat tactics — head of Kherson region

Vladimir Saldo added that the line of engagement along the Dnieper River in the Kherson Region has not been an exception

Top Russian banks reduced deposit rates — financial marketplace

Six-month deposits took the lead during the reporting period as regards the reduction

Switzerland declines to comment on Kiev's attempt to hit Putin's residence

The Swiss Foreign Ministry called on the parties to the conflict to "respect international humanitarian law" and again expressed its readiness to "act as a mediator" to resolve the crisis in Ukraine

Trump furious over Ukraine's attempted attack on Putin's residence — politician

Florian Philippot also stated the need to "assess as soon as possible the extent of Europe and NATO's involvement in this insane act of sabotage"

Russian coal companies’ savings total $476 mln — Finance Ministry

More than 130 coal industry companies that experienced deteriorating financial and economic indicators have received system-wide support in the form of deferrals of mineral extraction tax and insurance premium payments

Gazprom believes Qatar's quagmire won't become 'catastrophe' for LNG market

"The European market is still separate from the markets of Asia and the US. The impact, if it emerges, won’t be so catastrophic," Gazprom says

More than thirty died dolphins found after tankers shipwreck in Kerch Strait

The condition of corpses may evidence that the majority of detected cetaceans died during the first ten days after the emergency with tankers

Russia slams US’ reaction to ambassador’s comments on drone incident as unacceptable

Russia consider the Press Secretary’s assessments of Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States of America Anatoly Antonov’s comments on the incident with the MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Black Sea to be unacceptable, especially if they come from an employee of the US diplomatic service, Russian embassy spokesman Igor Girenko said

US to analyze intel about attack on Putin’s residence — UN envoy

AccoSuch Kiev’s actions would be "reckless or not helpful," Matthew Whittaker said

Russia calls up 135,000 conscripts for military service in autumn draft

As in the previous army drafts, Russian conscripts had the right to choose military service in various military branches and armed services, considering their health condition and the results of professional psychological selection

Kiev discusses with Washington deployment of US troops in Ukraine — Zelensky

Moscow opposes the presence of NATO military personnel in Ukraine

Bank of Russia raises dollar exchange rate for December 31 - January 9 to 78.23 rubles

The regulator raised the official euro exchange rate by 62 kopecks to 92.0938 rubles

Putin signs decree to call up reservists to protect critical facilities in 2026

The government has been instructed to approve the list of critical facilities and other vital infrastructure to be protected

Russian budget deficit in 2025 not above target — Finance Minister

The share of oil and gas revenues of the budget will be 23% as of the end of this year and will decline to 22% in 2026, Anton Siluanov noted

Unipro completes upgrade of power unit at Surgutskaya plant

The plant underwent replacement of the turbine generator and electrical equipment, and the power generating unit was overhauled

Prep for war with Moscow now top narrative in EU policy — Russian senator

At present, European leaders are not considering the option of a direct military conflict with Russia, Alexey Pushkov added

Ukrainian forces near Druzhkovka lost 15 armored vehicles to UAV strikes Rubicon center

The targeted equipment included T-64BV and T-80U tanks, an M113 armored personnel carrier, and an American-made M109A6 Paladin self-propelled gun

Army liberates Krasnogorovka after taking enemy by surprise — Russian serviceman

According to the report, all the assault operations in Krasnogorovka were carefully planned

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 190 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed a US-made armored combat vehicle in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

New housing sales by Russian developers above $63 bln in 2025

Analysts indicate market adaptation to high mortgage loan interest rates, growth of installment plan sales and sales for own funds among drivers of positive dynamics, including also a change in the sales structure

Trump recalls that he personally blocked Tomahawk deliveries to Ukraine

US President commented on Ukraine’s attempted attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state residence

Medvedev slams Zelensky ‘pathological liar, freeloader’

Security Council Deputy Chairman also noticed that Zelensky made US President Donald Trump sick of himself

Kiev loses nearly 17,000 soldiers, mercenaries near LPR in December — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the number of the Ukrainian armed forces’ sanitary losses and irreparable personnel losses has been increasing

Trump’s reaction to attack on Putin’s residence and contacts with Kiev: Putin-Trump call

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin discussed the US-Ukrainian talks in Florida and agreed to continue their dialogue in the future "in quite a friendly fashion"

Kazakh leader confirms attendance at Victory Day events in Moscow

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev confirmed his attendance during a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin

Loading of Russian Railways to be 1.1 bln tons as of 2025 year-end — minister

According to the Russian Railways, shipments totaled 1.21 bln metric tons over eleven months of 2025, which is 5.6% less than in the like period of the last year

Tatneft becomes participant in methionine project

Russian oil producer Tatneft got 50% in Biomethionine company specializing in chemicals production, according to data from the united state register of legal entities, the other 50% in the project belong to NTL Chemical Technologies company

Diplomat points to OHCHR biasedness due to silence after attack on Putin’s residence

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Geneva Office and other Geneva-based international organizations Gennady Gatilov noted that an increasing number of states condemned the Kiev regime's terrorist attack

Bosnian Serb leader condemns attack on Putin’s residence as act of terrorism

This reveals Zelensky’s inability and reluctance to end the suffering of his own people, Milorad Dodik said