US and Russia Resume Military Dialogue Amidst Shifting Global Dynamics
Washington and Moscow agreed to re-establish high-level military communication hotlines, marking the first such dialogue in over four years, according to Euronews. The agreement followed talks in Abu Dhabi, signaling a potential thaw in relations between the two countries since President Donald Trump's return to the Oval Office. High-level military communication between the US and Russia had been suspended in late 2021, months before the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion. The move comes as Washington intensifies diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, which is nearing its fourth anniversary.
The resumption of dialogue occurs amidst a backdrop of shifting global alliances and rising regional tensions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Qatar on Thursday for energy talks, highlighting Germany's efforts to secure energy security, defense partners, and stability amid concerns over Iran, Euronews reported. Speaking in Doha, Merz stated that fears of a wider regional escalation linked to Iran featured prominently in discussions with Gulf leaders. He called on Tehran to halt what he described as aggressive behavior and to enter talks aimed at easing tensions.
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Milan for the Winter Olympics, calling the Games a unifying moment as world leaders gathered for the opening ceremony, Euronews noted. Vance told US athletes that the competition "is one of the few things that unites the entire country."
In other news, Amazon Web Services (AWS) reported strong growth, ending 2025 with its strongest quarterly growth rate in more than three years, according to TechCrunch. The company recorded $35.6 billion in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025, a 24% year-on-year increase and the business segment's largest growth rate in 13 quarters. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said that the company's annual revenue run rate for the business segment is $142 billion. He added, "Its very different having 24 year-over-year growth on 142 billion annualized run rate than to have a higher percentage growth on a meaningfully smaller base, which is the case with our competitors."
TechCrunch also reported on The Washington Post's retreat from Silicon Valley, highlighting the increasing importance of technology in society. The article noted that software, specifically machine learning and AI, coupled with advanced manufacturing, has delivered technology to various aspects of life. It also pointed out that seven of the top 10 richest people in the world can tie their wealth directly to tech, including Amazon co-founder, chairman, and Washington Post owner.
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