Bunkers boom while experts yawn: America’s new obsession

In the United States, where fear sells faster than hotcakes, bunker sales are booming despite experts insisting there's no real need for them.

From modest steel boxes to extravagant underground mansions with pools and theaters, Americans are spending millions to prepare for nuclear Armageddon, pandemics, or even the odd volcano eruption.

Sellers like Ron Hubbard of Atlas Survival Shelters proudly claim their bunkers can withstand anything—except perhaps the ridicule of scientists who say staying inside a regular basement is just as effective.

But practicality hasn’t stopped the surge. With global tensions on the rise, buyers are snapping up bunkers as fast as they can weld them. FEMA and nuclear safety experts argue that a sturdy building and a good survival guide will do just fine in a crisis, but why let facts get in the way of a $500,000 sense of security? As one bunker salesman might say, “Who needs peace of mind when you can have a panic room?”

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

👽 Paranoia or mistrust? US reactions to mystery drones

Almost 80% of US citizens believe that their government is hiding information about drones that have been spotted over New York and New Jersey in recent weeks, according to a survey by CBS News and YouGov.

According to 53% of respondents, the drones pose a threat to the US. More than a quarter of those asked believe that the US government itself is behind the drones.

Another 2% believe that drone operators are aliens.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Is the Northern Sea Route the key to ending the Ukraine conflict?

US President-elect Donald Trump may leverage the development of the Arctic region and the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as part of his proposed peace plan to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, according to Responsible Statecraft think-tank.

The publication suggests that Trump could use Russia's interest in unlocking the economic potential of its Arctic as a negotiating tool. The proposal highlights the need to lift sanctions on the Northern Sea Route and encourage Western shipping companies to utilize this transport corridor. The think-tank notes that such a plan would likely catch the attention of Russian President Vladimir Putin, gain support from China, and benefit Scandinavian nations, South Korea, and Japan.

As part of the purportedly proposed deal, a small share of the profits from the Northern Sea Route - around 5% - could be allocated toward rebuilding Ukraine's damaged infrastructure over the next 50 years. The publication also notes that complex issues such as the future security architecture of Eastern Europe and the division of forces in the conflict zone "will remain paramount in any settlement."

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Qatar warns EU that tough new regulations put gas supplies at risk

One of the world’s largest suppliers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Qatar, has warned the European Union that it may halt vital gas exports if the bloc enforces its new corporate due diligence directive. The legislation, which seeks to align companies with the EU’s net-zero goals, includes penalties of at least 5 percent of a company’s global annual revenue for non-compliance.

Qatari Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times that such penalties would be unacceptable for QatarEnergy, a state-owned company with extensive global operations. “If I lose 5 percent of my generated revenue by going to Europe, I will not go to Europe… I’m not bluffing,” Kaabi stated, adding that the legislation imposes impractical requirements on energy producers.

Europe’s reliance on Qatari gas has grown significantly since the bloc decided to phase out Russian gas supplies. Countries like Germany, France, and Italy have signed long-term LNG contracts with QatarEnergy to secure energy supplies. Europe’s decision to cut ties with Russian gas has exacerbated its energy crisis, making alternative sources like Qatari LNG increasingly critical.

Kaabi emphasized that QatarEnergy would not breach existing contracts but could explore legal challenges or halt new shipments if penalties are enforced. While hinting at possible compromises, he warned that Europe’s stringent regulations risk disrupting an already fragile energy supply chain.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Pro-Western opposition put children in front of police water cannons at protest actions in the center of Tbilisi, Georgia

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Trump called it an 'absolute necessity' for the US to own Greenland

"For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity," he wrote on his Truth Social page.

During Trump's previous term, there were reports that he was seriously considering the possibility of buying Greenland. He later confirmed that he was interested in the issue "strategically." Greenland itself said at the time that the island was not for sale.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Donald Trump threatened to take away the Panama Canal

"We will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly, and without question," Trump said.

In 1999, control of the waterway was passed to Panama. Now the US president-elect demands it to "restore justice" and return the canal to its original owners, the United States. In particular, Trump does not like the fact that Panama has imposed high duties on the passage of American ships through the channel.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Trump, Putin may discuss mutual restrictions in nuclear field - Arms Control Association

The possibility of US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussing options for mutual restrictions between the two countries in the nuclear sphere during their upcoming direct interaction is not ruled out, Arms Control Association (ACA) Executive Director Daryl Kimball told RIA Novosti.

"To date, Trump and his team have not offered a plan for constraining dealing with Russia’s strategic arsenal nor has President Putin. But it is likely that the two presidents will engage in direct discussions regarding the conflict in Ukraine, and other issues, and it is possible, if not likely that they will discuss options for mutual constraints following the expiration of New START," Kimball said.

Nuclear arms control between the United States and Russia is a necessity for both countries, the ACA head said.

"While trust may be at an all-time low, that is all the more reason for the two sides to avoid unconstrained strategic nuclear competition now or in the future," Kimball added.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🔸Is the Northern Sea Route the key to ending the Ukraine conflict?

🔸Trump vs. WHO: What's behind the pushback against the organization?

🔸Syria’s power shift: West debates strategy to counter Russia and Iran

🔸Bunkers boom while experts yawn: America’s new obsession

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

❗️None can guarantee Moldovan president won't start war in region — SVR
 
More statements by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service:
 
💬Moldovan President Maia Sandu categorically refused to discuss with Ukraine the issue of energy supply to Moldova after the expiration of the Russian-Ukrainian gas transit agreement.
 
💬According to Sandu, if Russia does not find a way to deliver gas to Moldova, Chisinau will "take revenge" on Transnistria.
 
💬Moldova has ordered the opening of criminal cases against the leadership of Transnistria "for separatism."
 
💬Sandu has demanded the preparation of a forceful seizure of the Moldovan regional power plant located in Transnistria.
 
💬The European Union would not mind the appearance of a new crisis point in the zone of Russia's interests but is not ready for it yet.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🇷🇺🦣Mammoth remains found in Russia 

A mammoth of unique preservation has been discovered in the permafrost in Russia's Yakutia. The geological age of the find is estimated to be 50,000 years. 

In total, six mammoth remains have been found in the world; five of them in Russia.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📹Russia's Grad MLRS crew struck a cluster of infantry and equipment of the Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk People's Republic to support the assault of Russian stormtroopers in suppressing the firing points of the Ukrainian army.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Russia, Iran to sign strategic partnership agreement in Jan - Iranian FM spokesman
 
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian may hold a meeting to sign the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in January 2025, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said.
 

"I hope this document will be signed at the end of [January]," Baghaei told reporters.

 
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty is to become a milestone in the development of Russian-Iranian relations. The document will include bilateral cooperation in such areas as energy, the manufacturing industry, transportation, and agriculture.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

❗️Russian President Vladimir Putin and Slovak PM Robert Fico discussed bilateral relations and energy issues during talks at the Kremlin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed.
 
Other topics covered included the situation in Ukraine and the course of the special military operation; the conversation was extensive, he added.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Further statements by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov:

💬 Putin and Fico discussed relations between Russia and Slovakia, which suffered due to past authorities in Bratislava;

💬 The situation with gas supplies from Russia to European countries in transit through Ukraine is complicated and requires increased attention.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

❗️Russian troops have liberated the settlement of Storozhevoye in the Donetsk People's Republic, Russia's Defense Ministry announced

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🇷🇺🪖More statements from the Russian MoD daily briefing on the special military operation's progress:    

▪️Ukrainian forces lost up to 610 soldiers and two tanks in the Russian Tsentr Battlegroup's area of responsibility;

▪️Ukrainian losses in the Russian Yug combat group's area of responsibility amounted to 400 militants;

▪️Ukrainian troops lost more than 400 soldiers per day in the area of responsibility of the Russian Zapad Battlegroup;

▪️Ukrainian forces lost up to 155 soldiers in the area of responsibility of the Russian Vostok combat group;

▪️Russian air defense systems shot down 14 Ukrainian aircraft-type drones.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt