Breaking news

Trump Intervenes To Bring TikTok Back To The U.S.

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 20, 2025

TikTok began restoring access for U.S. users on Sunday, following a pledge by President-elect Donald Trump to reinstate the platform’s operations as he prepared to take office. Speaking at a rally before his inauguration, Trump emphasized the importance of the app’s return, stating, “Frankly, we have no choice. We have to save it.” He also hinted at plans for a joint venture to secure TikTok’s presence, a platform used by 170 million Americans.

Hours before the rally, TikTok informed its users about the positive developments, attributing the app’s revival to Trump’s efforts. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, TikTok is back for U.S. users,” read the company’s message. While some users regained access to limited services on the app, the full platform remained unavailable for download on app stores as of late Sunday.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

TikTok acknowledged ongoing efforts with service providers to restore operations fully. In a statement, the company expressed gratitude to Trump for ensuring clarity and protection for its service providers. This assurance, TikTok noted, was crucial in allowing its operations to continue without legal risks. The platform also highlighted its role in supporting over 7 million small businesses across the U.S.

Tensions Amid U.S.-China Relations

TikTok’s revival comes against the backdrop of strained ties between the U.S. and China. While Trump has indicated plans to impose tariffs on China, he also expressed interest in fostering direct communication with the Chinese leadership. Addressing the matter, China’s foreign ministry stated its hope for a fair and open business environment in the U.S. for international companies like TikTok.

TikTok had gone offline for U.S. users late Saturday following the implementation of a law banning its operations over national security concerns. Officials cited fears that user data could be accessed by ByteDance, the app’s Chinese parent company, and misused. In response, Trump announced plans to delay the enforcement of the law, creating an opportunity to negotiate a deal ensuring national security.

On his social platform, Truth Social, Trump suggested the U.S. take a 50% ownership stake in a joint venture overseeing TikTok’s U.S. operations. He also assured companies supporting the app’s continued availability that they would face no legal liabilities.

Divided Opinions On TikTok’s Return

Trump’s intervention marks a notable shift from his earlier stance during his first term in office when he sought to ban TikTok entirely over privacy concerns. In contrast, he now credits the app for helping him connect with young voters during the 2024 presidential election. However, not all members of Trump’s Republican Party agree with his actions. Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts have criticized the move, stating that only a complete severance of ties between ByteDance and the Chinese government would satisfy legal requirements.

The law passed by Congress grants the U.S. government the authority to ban or require divestitures of Chinese-owned apps, a move that has already affected other ByteDance properties like CapCut and Lemon8, which were also removed from U.S. app stores.

A “Hair On Fire” Moment For Businesses

The temporary shutdown of TikTok sent shockwaves across industries reliant on the platform. Marketing agencies scrambled to develop contingency plans, with one executive describing the situation as a “hair on fire” crisis. Meanwhile, U.S. users flocked to VPN searches, hoping to bypass restrictions, and e-commerce sellers worried about delayed transactions on TikTok Shop.

During the turmoil, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration and a rally, signalling the company’s support for the deal. Meanwhile, interest in TikTok’s U.S. operations is growing, with names like Elon Musk and former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt reportedly exploring acquisition opportunities. A U.S. tech startup, Perplexity AI, has also submitted a proposal to merge with TikTok’s U.S. branch and create a new entity involving other partners.

Despite the upheaval, TikTok’s path forward may cement its place as a dominant social media platform in the U.S., backed by President Trump’s evolving approach to its operations and the broader landscape of U.S.-China tech relations.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Christodoulides Urges Faster Development Of Cyprus Gas Fields As ExxonMobil Maps Path To Production

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 24, 2026

Cyprus is pressing to turn offshore gas discoveries into a strategic energy asset, with President Nikos Christodoulides calling for the accelerated development of the Pegasus and Glaucus fields during a meeting in New York with ExxonMobil vice president for global exploration John Ardill.

According to government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the discussion took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and focused on the next phase for the two fields, in which ExxonMobil holds development rights alongside QatarEnergy.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

From Discovery To Development

Christodoulides welcomed ExxonMobil’s continued presence in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone and said the declaration of the two fields as commercially viable marked an important milestone. In his view, that step has created the conditions needed to move decisively into development planning.

He called for the existing momentum to be maintained and for the evaluation of development options to be accelerated, to submit a development and production plan as soon as possible. That, Letymbiotis said, would allow ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy to advance the procedures needed to reach a final investment decision.

The president also underlined that the exploitation of domestic natural gas reserves remains a central pillar of Cyprus’ energy strategy. Beyond its domestic value, he said, development of these resources could strengthen Cyprus’ standing in the eastern Mediterranean while supporting Europe’s efforts to improve energy security and diversify supply routes.

Christodoulides further stressed Cyprus’ commitment to close cooperation with ExxonMobil, describing the company as an important long-term partner capable of helping translate exploration success into concrete production projects.

What Happens Next

ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy declared Pegasus and Glaucus marketable at the end of June, following years of exploration work in Block 10 of Cyprus’ EEZ. Ardill said at the time that the announcement represented the culmination of eight years of effort, beginning with the award of the blocks in 2017 and the first discovery in 2019.

He said the project would now move into additional drilling, followed by the initial engineering and design phase. The next major milestone would be the final investment decision, which ExxonMobil expects in 2029. If that timeline holds, production could begin in 2033.

“We are committed to 2033, but we hope to move faster,” Ardill said.

Export Options Under Review

Ardill said ExxonMobil is assessing several possible routes to bring the gas to market, including an onshore liquefaction facility in Cyprus connected by pipeline to Egypt, the use of existing liquefied natural gas infrastructure in Egypt, or a floating LNG solution.

He noted that floating LNG tends to be more expensive, while onshore LNG facilities generally require larger reserves than have been identified so far. For that reason, he said, the most likely option appears to be a pipeline connection to Egypt, given the existing framework of cooperation between Nicosia and Cairo.

That approach would align with broader regional energy plans already taking shape. Cyprus and Egypt, together with the TotalEnergies and Eni consortium in Block 6, have already signed agreements that could eventually see Cypriot gas transported to the Segas LNG terminal in Damietta for export to Europe and other markets.

For Cyprus, the next phase is now clear: move from geological promise to commercial execution. The broader significance is equally evident. If developed successfully, the country’s offshore gas could do more than bolster its own energy position. It could also deepen its role as a regional energy partner at a time when Europe is still seeking reliable, diversified sources of supply.