TOP NEWS

Russia and Iran strengthen their defense cooperation

Russia and Iran signed a comprehensive 20-year cooperation agreement on Friday, several news agencies report.

“It is truly a breakthrough document,” said Vladimir Putin when the agreement was signed, according to AFP.

The countries, which are already close to each other, are “agreed to take the relationship to a new level,” according to Putin.

The agreement is about strengthening cooperation in the security and defense fields, among other things. Putin also said that Russia is considering building new nuclear power plants in Iran.

US-China relations
Trump has spoken to Xi: “Good for China and the US”

The US president-elect has spoken by phone with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday. Donald Trump himself writes about the conversation on Truth Social:

“It was a very good conversation for both China and the US,” he writes.

The parties discussed, among other things, Tiktok and trade policy. The conversation was the first between the leaders since Trump left the White House four years ago.

Trump, who will be sworn in on Monday, has previously praised Xi Jinping. At the same time, he has threatened in recent months to impose tariffs on Chinese goods.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will travel to Washington to watch Trump's inauguration on Monday. 

Middle East Crisis  Negotiations
Security Cabinet Says Yes to Gaza Ceasefire

The Israeli Security Cabinet is urging the Israeli government to approve the Gaza ceasefire agreement, several media outlets report.

The security cabinet met during the day to discuss the issue. The cabinet voted and gave the green light for the agreement to be signed. The government will meet later on Friday, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. The final decision will be made there.

This means that the ceasefire will come into effect on Sunday, unless something unforeseen happens.

Political situation in Bolivia
Judge orders arrest of ex-president Morales

Bolivia's former leader Evo Morales is to be arrested over his alleged relationship with a teenage girl, who gave birth to his child, during his time as president. A judge ordered it on Friday, AFP reports.

He is accused of human trafficking with minors.

The ex-president did not appear at the detention hearing in the current case, which meant that the judge now ordered his arrest.

Morales claims that the accusations are part of preventing him from making a political comeback.

He was Bolivia's president between 2006 and 2019.