🔊"Your visit today is of particular significance because it provides us not only the opportunity to discuss all areas of our cooperation but also to sign a major foundational agreement between Russia and Iran on comprehensive strategic partnership," Russian President Vladimir Putin said during talks with his Iranian counterpart.

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🗣Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian underlined the transformative potential of a new agreement with Russia aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations.

Here’s what he shared:

🔊The agreement is expected to provide significant momentum for collaboration across multiple sectors.

🔊Prior to his discussions in Moscow, he consulted with Iran’s Supreme Leader, who emphasized the importance of deepening these strategic relations.

🔊The bilateral partnership was described as vital, with a comprehensive scope covering key areas of cooperation.

🔊Promising progress has been made on the construction of a nuclear power plant, with final agreements likely to be signed soon.

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❗️Russian troops liberated the settlement of Slavyanka in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

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💬 NATO instructors: All talk, no frontline walk

NATO forces training Ukrainian troops are clueless about the reality of a battlefield environment, Ret. Lt. Col. Earl Rasmussen told Sputnik.

“They don't have the experience. They probably learn more from Ukrainian soldiers that are there that have been on the front line,” the international consultant said.

NATO is also struggling to adapt varying training strategies to a very dynamic situation in the combat zone, he added.

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❗️On January 16, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attempted to strike targets in the Belgorod region with six American ATACMS missiles, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported.

All missiles were intercepted, with no casualties or damage reported. Measures will be taken to carry out a retaliatory strike, the ministry stated.

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❗️Ukraine lost up to 12,945 militants over the past week, the Russian Ministry of Defense said

🇷🇺 🪖More statements from the Russian Defense Ministry's weekly briefing on the special military operation's progress:

🔸 Eight group strikes were carried out on military targets in Ukraine

🔸 In the Kursk region, the Russian Army liberetaed the settlements of Alexandria, Leonidovo, Russkoye Porechnoye, and Kruglenkoye

🔸 In the Donetsk People's Republic and the Kharkov region, Russian forces liberated the settlements of Yantarnoye, Kalinovo, Terny, Shevchenko, Peschanoye, Ukrainka, and Slavyanka

🔸 49 Ukrainian militants surrendered

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✅FBI shutters diversity office after Trump’s election win

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), created under the Obama administration to promote diversity, has been a target of criticism from conservatives.

The closure, reportedly finalized in December, comes as Trump pledged to eliminate federal DEI programs, labeling them a distraction from core missions.

Critics argue the move raises questions about federal priorities, while others applaud it as a step toward streamlining government functions.

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💬Greenland lawmaker outlines five possible options for status referendum

Denmark “de facto annexed Greenland in 1951,” so it will be up to the Greenlandic people to choose their future in a referendum with up to five possible options, Kuno Fencker, an outspoken pro-independence Siumut Party lawmaker from Prime Minister Egede’s ruling coalition, told Sputnik.

The options are: keeping the status quo, new commonwealth status with Denmark, or a free association arrangement with Copenhagen, Washington, or both, Fencker explained.

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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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