15 days ago
Former Bond Girl and ****** and the City star Carole Bouquet is more beautiful than ever at 69.
The actress and model rose to stardom in the role of Melina Havelock in 1981's For Your Eyes Only, opposite the legendary actor Roger Moore. While she's had a long and successful career in the public eye since then, it's her ****** ociation with Chanel that frequently gets her to hit the red carpet. The former face of Chanel No. 5 perfume attended the Chanel Womenswear Spring/Summer 2027 show as part of Paris Fashion Week, and boasted a big smile for the cameras while wearing an elegant gray suit.
Jacopo Raule / Getty Images
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Yes! Bouquet had an important cameo in season 6 on ****** and the City as the ex-wife of Mikhail Baryshnikov's character, Aleksandr Petrovsky. In the scene, she offers Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw a cigarette as they sit in a Paris restaurant chatting about her ex? ("I thought you might be one of those Americans who didn't smoke. And I would be… how do you say… Guilty of killing you over lunch?")
#bouquet #bond #carole
The actress and model rose to stardom in the role of Melina Havelock in 1981's For Your Eyes Only, opposite the legendary actor Roger Moore. While she's had a long and successful career in the public eye since then, it's her ****** ociation with Chanel that frequently gets her to hit the red carpet. The former face of Chanel No. 5 perfume attended the Chanel Womenswear Spring/Summer 2027 show as part of Paris Fashion Week, and boasted a big smile for the cameras while wearing an elegant gray suit.
Jacopo Raule / Getty Images
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
Yes! Bouquet had an important cameo in season 6 on ****** and the City as the ex-wife of Mikhail Baryshnikov's character, Aleksandr Petrovsky. In the scene, she offers Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw a cigarette as they sit in a Paris restaurant chatting about her ex? ("I thought you might be one of those Americans who didn't smoke. And I would be… how do you say… Guilty of killing you over lunch?")
#bouquet #bond #carole
1 month ago
VIENNA (AP) — Iran on Monday condemned the exclusion of the head of its Atomic Energy Organization from the annual gathering of the United Nations nuclear agency in Vienna saying that it constitutes "a serious breach" of Tehran's rights as a member nation.
"By obstructing our full and effective participation, the denial of access contravenes both the letter and the spirit of the legal framework" governing attendance at meetings of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran's ambassador to the agency, Reza Najafi, told delegates at its general conference.
Najafi criticized Austria, the host country of the IAEA and other U.N. organizations, saying that Vienna's decision not to grant a visa to Mohammad Eslami "violates the host country's obligation."
The Russian ambassador to the U.N. in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, echoed Iran's remarks, saying that Austria had "grossly violated" its obligations as host nation of the IAEA.
Western nations had "unleashed a genuine campaign of visa-related abuses so as to settle scores with countries they deem to be undesirable," he said.
#atomic
"By obstructing our full and effective participation, the denial of access contravenes both the letter and the spirit of the legal framework" governing attendance at meetings of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran's ambassador to the agency, Reza Najafi, told delegates at its general conference.
Najafi criticized Austria, the host country of the IAEA and other U.N. organizations, saying that Vienna's decision not to grant a visa to Mohammad Eslami "violates the host country's obligation."
The Russian ambassador to the U.N. in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, echoed Iran's remarks, saying that Austria had "grossly violated" its obligations as host nation of the IAEA.
Western nations had "unleashed a genuine campaign of visa-related abuses so as to settle scores with countries they deem to be undesirable," he said.
#atomic
1 month ago
By Andrew Osborn
MOSCOW, Sept 7 (Reuters) - North Korea and Russia opened their first road bridge on Monday in a carefully choreographed display of friendship, a structure which spans the Tumen river and which both sides cast as an important milestone in their deepening strategic partnership.
The first flag-adorned trucks trundled across the 1 km (0.6 mile) long two-lane bridge as Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korea's Premier Pak Thae Song tuned in by video link to address workers and government officials from both countries.
Construction of the new bridge, which had been under discussion for years, began in April last year after the project was agreed during a visit by President Vladimir Putin to North Korea in 2024. There are already direct air and rail links between Moscow and Pyongyang, but until Monday there had not been a proper road link. Instead, since 1959 and by special arrangement, planks had been placed on the nearby rail bridge - for decades the sole border crossing point - in order to move vehicles across the border between the two countries.
"I am convinced that the expansion of cross-border transport infrastructure will provide a powerful impetus for the further development of trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation," said Mishustin, who said ties between Moscow and Pyongyang were "at an unprecedented high level" and called the opening of the bridge "a genuinely historic event."
#bridge #moscow #korea
MOSCOW, Sept 7 (Reuters) - North Korea and Russia opened their first road bridge on Monday in a carefully choreographed display of friendship, a structure which spans the Tumen river and which both sides cast as an important milestone in their deepening strategic partnership.
The first flag-adorned trucks trundled across the 1 km (0.6 mile) long two-lane bridge as Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korea's Premier Pak Thae Song tuned in by video link to address workers and government officials from both countries.
Construction of the new bridge, which had been under discussion for years, began in April last year after the project was agreed during a visit by President Vladimir Putin to North Korea in 2024. There are already direct air and rail links between Moscow and Pyongyang, but until Monday there had not been a proper road link. Instead, since 1959 and by special arrangement, planks had been placed on the nearby rail bridge - for decades the sole border crossing point - in order to move vehicles across the border between the two countries.
"I am convinced that the expansion of cross-border transport infrastructure will provide a powerful impetus for the further development of trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation," said Mishustin, who said ties between Moscow and Pyongyang were "at an unprecedented high level" and called the opening of the bridge "a genuinely historic event."
#bridge #moscow #korea
2 months ago
Texas A&M football's suffocating defense paved the way for a 50-0 victory against the Missouri State Bears to kick off the 2026 campaign at Kyle Field on Saturday night.
The Aggies' first-team defense gave up just 55 yards on 29 plays in the season opener. Meanwhile, junior quarterback Marcel Reed showed his offseason development, throwing for 223 yards and two touchdowns. Texas A&M had three running backs rush for over 40 yards, 77 of which came from senior Rueben Owens II.
Noah Mikhail led the way on defense with seven tackles, followed by transfer linebacker Ray Coney, who notched six tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss, with Texas A&M's sole forced turnover coming from Ryan Henderson.
For head coach Mike Elko, the performance marked his 20th win as the head coach in Aggieland, but he's looking for much more this season. That includes a massive non-conference matchup against Arizona State in an SEC-versus-Big 12 showdown in Bryan-College Station next Saturday.
Here is everything Elko, Mikhail, Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton and Reed said following Texas A&M's first win of the 2026 season against Missouri State on Saturday night:
#state #saturday
The Aggies' first-team defense gave up just 55 yards on 29 plays in the season opener. Meanwhile, junior quarterback Marcel Reed showed his offseason development, throwing for 223 yards and two touchdowns. Texas A&M had three running backs rush for over 40 yards, 77 of which came from senior Rueben Owens II.
Noah Mikhail led the way on defense with seven tackles, followed by transfer linebacker Ray Coney, who notched six tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss, with Texas A&M's sole forced turnover coming from Ryan Henderson.
For head coach Mike Elko, the performance marked his 20th win as the head coach in Aggieland, but he's looking for much more this season. That includes a massive non-conference matchup against Arizona State in an SEC-versus-Big 12 showdown in Bryan-College Station next Saturday.
Here is everything Elko, Mikhail, Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton and Reed said following Texas A&M's first win of the 2026 season against Missouri State on Saturday night:
#state #saturday
2 months ago
MOSCOW, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Russia delivered a strong protest to ****** an's ambassador to Moscow on Tuesday over what it called anti-Russian remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in a dispute over a group of Russian-controlled islands off northeast ****** an.
Moscow's summoning of envoy Akira Muto is the latest development in a simmering row between the two countries after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited one of the disputed islands last week.
The four islands, which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and ****** an refers to as the Northern Territories, were seized by the Soviet Union in the days following ****** an's surrender in World War Two.
Russia controls and administers them, but Tokyo still claims them. Takaichi said last week that Putin's visit "hurts the feelings of the ****** anese people and is absolutely unacceptable".
Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin delivered Moscow's protest to the ****** anese envoy, telling him Moscow objected to "anti-Russian" statements by both Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
#minister #takaichi #Japan #japanese
Moscow's summoning of envoy Akira Muto is the latest development in a simmering row between the two countries after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited one of the disputed islands last week.
The four islands, which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and ****** an refers to as the Northern Territories, were seized by the Soviet Union in the days following ****** an's surrender in World War Two.
Russia controls and administers them, but Tokyo still claims them. Takaichi said last week that Putin's visit "hurts the feelings of the ****** anese people and is absolutely unacceptable".
Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin delivered Moscow's protest to the ****** anese envoy, telling him Moscow objected to "anti-Russian" statements by both Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
#minister #takaichi #Japan #japanese
2 months ago
NHL Network has made it an annual tradition to rank the top players in the league at each position — top 20 for centers, wingers and defensemen and top 10 for goalies. As is the case with virtually everything on social media, the lists are very much up for debate.
Utah Mammoth fans will notice the absence of Mikhail Sergachev from the top defensemen list, which was published Sunday evening.
Sergachev placed No. 18 in 2025, so this year's rankings beg the question: Did Sergachev get worse, or did others simply get better?
Here are some factors to consider — some affirming the league's ranking and others refuting it. The conclusion is up to the individual reader to determine.
Sergachev isn't a 75-plus-point guy like the names at the top of the list, but he is consistently just outside the top 10 in points among NHL defensemen.
#network #mammoth #mikhail
Utah Mammoth fans will notice the absence of Mikhail Sergachev from the top defensemen list, which was published Sunday evening.
Sergachev placed No. 18 in 2025, so this year's rankings beg the question: Did Sergachev get worse, or did others simply get better?
Here are some factors to consider — some affirming the league's ranking and others refuting it. The conclusion is up to the individual reader to determine.
Sergachev isn't a 75-plus-point guy like the names at the top of the list, but he is consistently just outside the top 10 in points among NHL defensemen.
#network #mammoth #mikhail
3 months ago
On Wednesday, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, alongside quarterback Marcel Reed, safety Marcus Ratcliffe, and linebacker Daymion Sanford, spoke to the local and national media during SEC Media Days, and after suffering what looked like a serious lower-body injury during the Maroon & White Game, Daymion Sanford, who is entering his senior season, has already graduated from his walking boot after undergoing surgery this summer.
On track to potentially return to the field earlier than expected, Sanford stated on Wednesday that he is already running again, while his recovery was "more of a mindset thing" the required plenty of patience without affecting his return timeline, while steadfast support from Mike Elko, and knowing that the Aggie linebacker rotation is in good shape with transfer Ray Coney and rising sophomore Noah Mikhail leading the way before he returns.
"I think it's going to be pretty difficult," Sanford stated. "But it's more of a mindset thing that I've learned throughout this process. You have to celebrate the small wins every day and make yourself feel good. So I've been celebrating the small wins, like being able to walk again, being able to get out of the brace, being able to run, stuff like that."
During the first portion of his Q&A with the local Aggie media, Sanford was asked which defensive player on the roster is under the radar entering the 2026 season, and while a long list of returning players could have been named, Sanford chose Illinois transfer defensive tackle Angelo McCullom, who reportedly hit a new bench press personal record of 470 pounds.
While North Carolina transfer defensive tackle CJ Mims is expected to start at nose tackle, McCullom, who appeared in 12 games at nose tackle last season, recording 19 tackles and 2 sacks, will serve as his primary backup. Per Pro Football Focus, McCullom finished the year with a solid 70.3 run defense grade.
#season
On track to potentially return to the field earlier than expected, Sanford stated on Wednesday that he is already running again, while his recovery was "more of a mindset thing" the required plenty of patience without affecting his return timeline, while steadfast support from Mike Elko, and knowing that the Aggie linebacker rotation is in good shape with transfer Ray Coney and rising sophomore Noah Mikhail leading the way before he returns.
"I think it's going to be pretty difficult," Sanford stated. "But it's more of a mindset thing that I've learned throughout this process. You have to celebrate the small wins every day and make yourself feel good. So I've been celebrating the small wins, like being able to walk again, being able to get out of the brace, being able to run, stuff like that."
During the first portion of his Q&A with the local Aggie media, Sanford was asked which defensive player on the roster is under the radar entering the 2026 season, and while a long list of returning players could have been named, Sanford chose Illinois transfer defensive tackle Angelo McCullom, who reportedly hit a new bench press personal record of 470 pounds.
While North Carolina transfer defensive tackle CJ Mims is expected to start at nose tackle, McCullom, who appeared in 12 games at nose tackle last season, recording 19 tackles and 2 sacks, will serve as his primary backup. Per Pro Football Focus, McCullom finished the year with a solid 70.3 run defense grade.
#season
3 months ago
Mark Pope needs to make a statement with the 2027 recruiting class.
After getting two homegrown, top-25 prospects in the 2025 class, and going o-fer on top-100 prospects in the 2026 class, Pope has already secured a commit from five-star Ryan Hampton and has cast a wide net to build the rest of the class.
One specific player the Wildcats are making a push for is point guard Reese Alston, the 3rd-ranked point guard and 8th-ranked overall prospect. He is also the son of former NBA player Rafer Alston, also known as streetball legend “Skip to My Lou.”
Alston has been on Kentucky’s radar since last summer, with the Wildcats extending an offer to him last October. As the summer grassroots circuits come to a close, they are making a strong push for him.
Playing in Puma’s Pro16 circuit, smaller than Nike’s EYBL or Adidas’ 3SSB, Alston takes notice of the coaches who are there to watch him play. Mark Pope was in attendance to watch him last week, and ******* istant Mikhail McLean, who attended the same high school as Alston (Houston Second Baptist HS), has attended multiple Puma Pro16 events this spring/summer.
#class #summer #wildcats #puma
After getting two homegrown, top-25 prospects in the 2025 class, and going o-fer on top-100 prospects in the 2026 class, Pope has already secured a commit from five-star Ryan Hampton and has cast a wide net to build the rest of the class.
One specific player the Wildcats are making a push for is point guard Reese Alston, the 3rd-ranked point guard and 8th-ranked overall prospect. He is also the son of former NBA player Rafer Alston, also known as streetball legend “Skip to My Lou.”
Alston has been on Kentucky’s radar since last summer, with the Wildcats extending an offer to him last October. As the summer grassroots circuits come to a close, they are making a strong push for him.
Playing in Puma’s Pro16 circuit, smaller than Nike’s EYBL or Adidas’ 3SSB, Alston takes notice of the coaches who are there to watch him play. Mark Pope was in attendance to watch him last week, and ******* istant Mikhail McLean, who attended the same high school as Alston (Houston Second Baptist HS), has attended multiple Puma Pro16 events this spring/summer.
#class #summer #wildcats #puma
3 months ago
Texas A&M's No. 1-ranked 2027 recruiting class is all but wrapped up after third-year coach Mike Elko and first-year linebackers coach Travis Williams landed another key commitment from four-star linebacker Makahi Allen on Saturday afternoon, as the well-rounded defender joins five-star linebacker Kaden Henderson and rising three-star LB commit Aston Whiteside.
On paper, Texas A&M's future linebacker rotation is all but set with Henderson and Allen in the fold, though transfer Ray Coney and senior Daymion Sanford, who will likely miss the first half of the regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury, are set to depart after the 2026 season. Combined with the Aggies' four freshman linebackers, including Tamarion Watkins, whose 6'4" frame and physicality are highly intriguing.
Before landing Kaden Henderson, Texas A&M had not secured a five-star LB commit in over 20 years, while Makahi Allen's background as a former safety who is already an established off-ball linebacker, who has shown the ability to shoot gaps and cover the corners in coverage pairs well with Henderson's elite athleticism and NFL-level speed/quickness.
Other freshman linebackers to note include DaQuives Beck, Storm Miller, and Tank King, who will likely sit and develop during the 2026 season. Given the lack of depth behind Ray Coney and sophomore Noah Mikhail, DaQuives Beck is a name to watch during preseason practice. Every player listed is at least 6'0" or more, providing plenty of size to stop the run and face larger offensive linemen in pass rush situations.
Mike Elko's focus on situational awareness and football IQ forces every current and future player on the roster to adapt and not take their foot off the gas on any play, especially at linebacker, which, as many know, serves as the quarterback of the defense.
On paper, Texas A&M's future linebacker rotation is all but set with Henderson and Allen in the fold, though transfer Ray Coney and senior Daymion Sanford, who will likely miss the first half of the regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury, are set to depart after the 2026 season. Combined with the Aggies' four freshman linebackers, including Tamarion Watkins, whose 6'4" frame and physicality are highly intriguing.
Before landing Kaden Henderson, Texas A&M had not secured a five-star LB commit in over 20 years, while Makahi Allen's background as a former safety who is already an established off-ball linebacker, who has shown the ability to shoot gaps and cover the corners in coverage pairs well with Henderson's elite athleticism and NFL-level speed/quickness.
Other freshman linebackers to note include DaQuives Beck, Storm Miller, and Tank King, who will likely sit and develop during the 2026 season. Given the lack of depth behind Ray Coney and sophomore Noah Mikhail, DaQuives Beck is a name to watch during preseason practice. Every player listed is at least 6'0" or more, providing plenty of size to stop the run and face larger offensive linemen in pass rush situations.
Mike Elko's focus on situational awareness and football IQ forces every current and future player on the roster to adapt and not take their foot off the gas on any play, especially at linebacker, which, as many know, serves as the quarterback of the defense.
3 months ago
Texas A&M's No. 1-ranked recruiting class was further strengthened after coach Mike Elko and his staff landed five-star linebacker Kaeden Henderson, considered one of the top athletes in the cycle, and he will likely compete for a starting job during his first season. After landing four linebacker commitments in the 2026 recruiting class, Elko and new LB coach Travis Williams had their sights set on 2027 four-star linebacker Mikahi Allen.
One of the top-ranked players in New Jersey, Allen is among the more underrated defensive prospects with high NFL upside and pairs well with Henderson's speed and pass-rush potential. Coming down to Texas, South Carolina, and Texas A&M, the Aggies came out on top during his announcement on Saturday, landing their 26th commitment in the top-ranked 2027 cycle.
Consistent linebacker play has been an issue for Texas A&M going back to the Kevin Sumlin years, and while former three-year starter Taurean York was certainly productive, his lack of size was an issue, and heading into the 2026 season, only senior Daymion Sanford is listed below 6'0", as projected starters Ray Coney and Noah Mikhail are both 6'2" and over 220 pounds.
Mikahi Allen is currently listed at 6'2" and 235 pounds, and according to 247Sports' Director of Scouting, Andrew Ivins, the New Jersey-based prospect can simply do it all, providing Elko and Williams another versatile athlete who will compete for a starting role in his second season.
"Can do a little bit of everything as he can attack the corner while playing on the ball, shoot gaps when positioned off the ball and impact passing lanes in coverage."
One of the top-ranked players in New Jersey, Allen is among the more underrated defensive prospects with high NFL upside and pairs well with Henderson's speed and pass-rush potential. Coming down to Texas, South Carolina, and Texas A&M, the Aggies came out on top during his announcement on Saturday, landing their 26th commitment in the top-ranked 2027 cycle.
Consistent linebacker play has been an issue for Texas A&M going back to the Kevin Sumlin years, and while former three-year starter Taurean York was certainly productive, his lack of size was an issue, and heading into the 2026 season, only senior Daymion Sanford is listed below 6'0", as projected starters Ray Coney and Noah Mikhail are both 6'2" and over 220 pounds.
Mikahi Allen is currently listed at 6'2" and 235 pounds, and according to 247Sports' Director of Scouting, Andrew Ivins, the New Jersey-based prospect can simply do it all, providing Elko and Williams another versatile athlete who will compete for a starting role in his second season.
"Can do a little bit of everything as he can attack the corner while playing on the ball, shoot gaps when positioned off the ball and impact passing lanes in coverage."
4 months ago
PayPal Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL) ranks among the best fintech stocks to buy as digital payments volume surges. On June 1, Freedom Broker reduced its price target for PayPal Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL) to $60 from $100 while retaining a Buy rating on the stock. Freedom Broker ******* yst Mikhail Paramonov referred to the company's first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, which were largely in line with estimates.
PayPal Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL) posted revenue of $8.35 billion, up 7% year-over-year, alongside a non-GAAP EPS of $1.34, up 1% year-over-year. The earnings and revenue numbers exceeded estimates by 5% and 4%, respectively.
The company's user base stayed somewhat steady, with 439 million active accounts, up 1% year-over-year, while monthly active accounts totaled 225 million. Transaction volume also came in solid, with 6.48 billion payment transactions handled during the quarter, a 7% increase over the previous year.
In addition, Tencent Financial Technology announced on May 27 that US PayPal users can now use WeChat Pay's QR-code network to make payments at businesses throughout China. According to the announcement, the service connects Tencent's cross-border payment platform TenPay Global to PayPal World.
PayPal Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL) operates a technology platform that enables businesses and customers worldwide to send and receive digital payments. The company offers payment solutions under the names PayPal Credit, Hyperwallet, Venmo, PayPal, Xoom, Honey, Braintree, and Paidy.
PayPal Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL) posted revenue of $8.35 billion, up 7% year-over-year, alongside a non-GAAP EPS of $1.34, up 1% year-over-year. The earnings and revenue numbers exceeded estimates by 5% and 4%, respectively.
The company's user base stayed somewhat steady, with 439 million active accounts, up 1% year-over-year, while monthly active accounts totaled 225 million. Transaction volume also came in solid, with 6.48 billion payment transactions handled during the quarter, a 7% increase over the previous year.
In addition, Tencent Financial Technology announced on May 27 that US PayPal users can now use WeChat Pay's QR-code network to make payments at businesses throughout China. According to the announcement, the service connects Tencent's cross-border payment platform TenPay Global to PayPal World.
PayPal Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL) operates a technology platform that enables businesses and customers worldwide to send and receive digital payments. The company offers payment solutions under the names PayPal Credit, Hyperwallet, Venmo, PayPal, Xoom, Honey, Braintree, and Paidy.
4 months ago
Kentucky Basketball is off and running for summer practice, and to no surprise, new transfer Milan Momcilovic is impressing early on.
Not only is he a lethal long-range shooter, but he's also making a positive impact on the culture of the team.
The team reportedly can't get enough of practice and being together, building chemistry on and off the court.
Momcilovic is leading the way for this group in that regard, and, according to **** istant coach Mikhail McLean, he's also shooting the lights out.
Milan Momcilovic's shooting and work ethic are already inspiring his Kentucky teammates to be better.
"They’re dragging each other in there and they’re leaving together, they’re coming back three, four times on their own outside of practice."https://t.co/w3c7axnYWX pic.twitter.com/kTH3KLoNzR
Not only is he a lethal long-range shooter, but he's also making a positive impact on the culture of the team.
The team reportedly can't get enough of practice and being together, building chemistry on and off the court.
Momcilovic is leading the way for this group in that regard, and, according to **** istant coach Mikhail McLean, he's also shooting the lights out.
Milan Momcilovic's shooting and work ethic are already inspiring his Kentucky teammates to be better.
"They’re dragging each other in there and they’re leaving together, they’re coming back three, four times on their own outside of practice."https://t.co/w3c7axnYWX pic.twitter.com/kTH3KLoNzR
5 months ago
MOSCOW, June 1 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the prime minister and the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) to ensure access to key medical, information and payment services during periods when mobile internet service is limited.
Russia has this year sometimes shut down mobile internet services and cracked down on foreign messenger apps, forcing millions to turn to VPNs as part of what Putin's opponents say is an attempt to shore up domestic control after four years of war.
In a list of orders published on Sunday by the Kremlin, Putin ordered the government and the FSB to "ensure the uninterrupted operation of the most important services" during periods of "limited operation of the Internet".
The order said that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov were to report back by July 1 on their progress.
Putin has cast disruption to Internet and communications networks as a painful, but sometimes essential security measure needed to to prevent terrorist and Ukrainian drone attacks. But he has said that citizens should be allowed access to vital online services during such periods.
Russia has this year sometimes shut down mobile internet services and cracked down on foreign messenger apps, forcing millions to turn to VPNs as part of what Putin's opponents say is an attempt to shore up domestic control after four years of war.
In a list of orders published on Sunday by the Kremlin, Putin ordered the government and the FSB to "ensure the uninterrupted operation of the most important services" during periods of "limited operation of the Internet".
The order said that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov were to report back by July 1 on their progress.
Putin has cast disruption to Internet and communications networks as a painful, but sometimes essential security measure needed to to prevent terrorist and Ukrainian drone attacks. But he has said that citizens should be allowed access to vital online services during such periods.
