The Israeli military and political Cabinet has approved an agreement with Hamas on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, the Prime Minister's Office said.

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❗️Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President-elect Donald Trump held a phone conversation.

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Greenland wants sovereignty, not isolation - pro-independence MP

Greenland is “absolutely are aware that we can’t be fully independent,” Kuno Fencker, an outspoken pro-independence Siumut Party lawmaker from Prime Minister Egede’s ruling coalition, told Sputnik.

“We are looking positively in regards to how can we become a sovereign state that can cooperate with other states,” the lawmaker said, emphasizing that in today’s world, not even Denmark is truly independent from the international organizations it’s engaged in.

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💥💥💥 How LA missed chance to get Russia's world-class firefighting planes

California found itself critically short of amphibious firefighting aircraft after rejecting a Russian offer in 2020 which would have landed them an entire fleet. Here’s what happened:

Missed opportunity

From 2017-2019, Russia and the US actively negotiated the sale of ten Beriev Be-200 firefighting jets to California’s Seaplane Global Air Services.

These world-class planes, renowned for tackling wildfires from Italy to Indonesia, would have been stationed just 200 km from the LA blaze epicenters — ready to snuff them out at a moment’s notice.

Be-200’s specs

🔸 Carries 12 tons of water or retardant.

🔸 Refills in just 14 seconds from lakes, reservoirs, or oceans.

🔸 2,100 km range allows multiple sorties before refueling.

What went wrong?

The deal hinged on the jets using Ukrainian-made D-436TP engines, but Motor Sich, the manufacturer, refused to certify them with the FAA. Without certification, the contract collapsed.

Politics over common sense

Rostec, Beriev’s parent, noted all ten jets could have been operational by 2024. "Politics ruined common sense," the company said, blaming regulators for obstructing certification and leaving LA unprepared for its wildfire crisis.

From budget cuts and DEI hiring practices to the donation of much-needed firefighting gear to Ukraine, the blazes devastating Los Angeles have turned into an unmitigated $250 bln disaster.

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⚡️Putin and Pezeshkian sign new agreement on comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Iran

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🎥🎥 Russian President Putin, Iranian сounterpart Pezeshkian hold presser after Moscow talks

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🇷🇺🇮🇷 Russian President Vladimir Putin described his talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Moscow as thorough and constructive.

At a press conference, Putin highlighted several key aspects of the partnership between Russia and Iran:

About the agreement

🔸 The strategic partnership agreement sets ambitious goals.

🔸 It is a groundbreaking document aimed at stable and sustainable development for both nations and the region.

About policy views

🔸 Russia and Iran align on most foreign policy issues.

🔸 Both nations pursue independent courses on the global stage.

🔸 They resist external pressure and oppose illegitimate sanctions.

About bilateral ties

🔸 Putin stressed the importance of further enhancing friendly relations.

🔸 Both governments are committed to elevating their partnership to a new level.

About economic cooperation

🔸 The pace of economic collaboration between Russia and Iran is increasing.

🔸 Energy remains a crucial element of their bilateral relations.

🔸 Construction of two new blocks at Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant will bolster the country’s energy security.

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📹 The new Russia-Iran strategic partnership sets ambitious goals in various fields, Putin said.

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US President-elect Donald Trump said that he discussed trade, TikTok and a range of other topics during a "very good" phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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The construction of two new units at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a flagship Russia-Iran project, will significantly enhance Iran’s energy security, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

Work on the second phase is underway, with around 2,000 people on-site. The first unit, completed with Russian help, was connected to Iran’s power grid in 2011.

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🤝 A new year, two major meetings – coincidence?

1️⃣ Russian President Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian in Moscow today.

2️⃣ Chinese President Xi Jinping, a close ally of Russia, spoke with US president-elect Donald Trump over the phone the same day.

A curious synchronicity on the global chessboard...

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📹 The development of the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) opens up new opportunities for cooperation in transportation between Russia and Iran, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

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📹The signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Russia and Iran will contribute to resolving the conflict in the Middle East, President Masoud Pezeshkian said following the signing ceremony.

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🤝 Key points of the Russia-Iran Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement:

◾️ If either country faces aggression, the other agrees not to assist the aggressor

◾️ Both nations will strengthen cooperation in security and defense

◾️ The agreement includes enhancing collaboration between their intelligence agencies

◾️ Moscow and Tehran will refrain from joining sanctions imposed by third countries and will guarantee the non-application of unilateral coercive measures

◾️ Russia and Iran agreed to cooperate on creating an independent payment infrastructure, free from third-country influence

◾️ The two sides will promote media cooperation to counter disinformation and negative propaganda

◾️ Mutual assistance will be provided in cases of natural disasters and industrial accidents

◾️ The partnership is set to last 20 years, with automatic extensions in five-year increments

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