NEW: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev express disappointment over Russia’s initial claims that the plane crash was caused by a gas cylinder explosion:

“This clearly shows an attempt to cover up the issue, which does not reflect well on anyone.”

“It is evident that our plane was hit accidentally, not as part of any deliberate act of terrorism. Acknowledging responsibility, apologizing to Azerbaijan, and informing the public were necessary steps. Unfortunately, in the first three days, we only heard absurd claims from Russia.”

President Aliyev outlined Azerbaijan’s demands to Russia, officially conveyed on December 27:

1. An official apology from Russia to Azerbaijan.
2. Admission of guilt.
3. Accountability and prosecution of those responsible.
4. Compensation to the Azerbaijani state, as well as the passengers and crew affected.

A barrel bomb plant was found in a mountainous area north of Damascus, leftover from the Assad regime.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov:

There is no doubt that the change that occurred in Syria will lead to certain adjustments regarding the Russian military presence in Syria.

Syria is a sovereign state and has the right to enter into or terminate agreements with foreign partners.

Putin and Aliyev had a telephone conversation and continued discussing issues related to the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane, the Kremlin announced.

Russia’s Medvedev:

United States does not need to annex Canada, Greenland or Britain. Trump and Musk could just buy these lands, making them their private properties.

South Korean authorities have confirmed the death of 179 people in the plane crash.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov:

Russia won't accept Trump's proposal to delay Ukraine's membership in NATO for 20 years or the presence of peacekeepers in Ukraine.

17 people were killed and several others were injured in an attack, believed to be Israeli, targeting the Adra area in the Damascus countryside.

Poland is ready to help Ukraine if Slovakia cuts off electricity over a gas dispute.

Polish assurances come amid an escalating row over the future of gas transit through Ukraine. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico made the threat two days ago, when he said Slovakia would stop supplying electricity that Ukraine urgently needs during network outages, if necessary.

Source: Bloomberg

Poland aims to complete the building of a border wall and seal off its border with Belarus by next summer, in order to stop an influx of migrants.

The additional infrastructure works along its 400 km eastern border that the government of Donald Tusk announced earlier this year are on track to be completed by the summer of 2025.

Poland started building a border wall in late 2021, when the Belarusian President Lukashenko first facilitated the arrival of thousands of migrants to enter Poland and neighbouring Baltic states.

Source: Financial Times

A group of Tehran’s merchants and citizens protested against inflation and rising prices in the country today.

Syrian Leader Ahmad al-Sharaa says they do not want Russia to leave Syria in a way that harms its relations with the country.

“Russia is the second strongest nation globally. It holds great significance, and Syria has strategic interests with Russia. We would not want Russia to depart in a manner that undermines its ties with Syria.”

Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa:

Israel was planning to enter Syria and then Iran would intervene.

The Iranian revolution exported the manufacture of Captagon to Syria.

Iran's 40-year project fell in 11 days in Syria.

Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa:

We will announce the dissolution of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham at the National Dialogue Conference.

Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa:

We will continue to pursue the figures who committed massacres.