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After 25 years, Mercosur and the EU have sealed a historic agreement. The deal must be approved by all Mercosur legislatures, receive the green light from the European Council (with 27 heads of state), and pass through the European Parliament with its 720 votes.

The EU-Mercosur agreement will create one of the largest free-trade areas in the world, with tariffs removed for key EU exporting industries. Kicked off in 1999, negotiations for the EU-Mercosur deal yielded a first 'political agreement' in 2019. Its ratification by member states was, however, withheld due to widespread farmers' discontent and continued concerns over the discrepancies of environmental standards between the EU and the South American bloc.

The agreement is meant to create one of the largest free-trade areas in the world, with tariffs removed for key EU exporting industries, such as cars, machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. In total, the deal will eliminate import duties on 91% of EU exports to Mercosur countries, as well as 92% of Mercosur exports to the EU, according to Commission data.

In the agri-food sector, the agreement will gradually eliminate 93% of tariffs on EU exports to Mercosur countries, including on wine, spirits, olive oil and canned peaches, while also liberalising 82% of agricultural imports. Critics of the agreement, including the governments of France and Poland, have warned against increased cheap food imports from the Mercosur bloc, which they argue create unfair competition for European farmers due to differences in environmental standards.

Seeking to assuage ongoing concerns, in 2019, the Commission proposed a financial support package of up to €1 billion in the event of market disturbance. However, von der Leyen did not refer to this package during Friday's press conference. Meanwhile, over the last few weeks, France was aiming to build a so-called “blocking minority” against the deal – consisting of at least four countries representing at least 35% of the EU population. While only Poland explicitly spoke out against the deal, other countries are also said to have reservations, including Austria, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

Russian Channel One, quoting sources in the Kremlin: 'Former President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived safely in Moscow'

'Iran warned Assad two months ago that HTS was preparing to make a move, but he dismissed the threat. So the Turkish Foreign Minister gave us assurances that nothing will take place, which turned out to be a lie. After HTS entered Western Aleppo, Iran expected Assad to ask for military assistance, and we were fully prepared to oblige with troops and whatever else was needed – but no such request came. After Aleppo fell, it became clear that Assad had no real intentions of staying in power, so we started to engage in diplomatic talks with the opposition, and arranged the safe exit of our troops from Syria. If the SAA does not fight, neither will we risk our soldiers' lives. Russia and the UAE had managed to convince him to step down, so there was nothing we could do.' – Iranian Officials

Idk if this is true, could be Iranian cope or Assad really was this dumb

https://nitter.poast.org/paulnovosad/status/1865110654446899640

mhm mhm makes sense makes sense ~~oh wait nvm they added new tds that explains it~~ wait no the parties that lost voteshare still have a bigger share of seats wtf

Bangladesh is erasing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s heroic legacy

Yoon ever close your eyes any more when I kiss your lips
And there's no martial law like before in your fingertips

Some news and combat footage from Russia’s special military operation.

Russian forces liberated the DPR settlement Romanovka (south of partially Kiev-occupied Kurakhovo) and the Zaporozhye oblast settlement of Novodarovka: https://sputnikglobe.com/20241203/russian-army-liberates-two-settlements-in-zaporozhye-region-and-donetsk-peoples-republic-1121079393.html

Russian drone operators went Leopard hunting in Kursk oblast: https://news-pravda.com/world/2024/12/03/896206.html

More Russian drone strikes on a Kiev regime tank and positions: https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mod.mp4?_=2

Russian tank scored direct hit on US-supplied MaxxPro armored vehicle: https://news-pravda.com/world/2024/12/02/893762.html

Danish Mayor Sends USD 2.4 Mln. State Racism Bill To Parliament

A Danish major has sent the central government the bill for having to enact discriminatory policies against a social housing estate denounced as a "parallel society" by the regime. The mayor criticises the policy of burdening municipalities with unnecessary costs in a time of tight budgets for local governments.

• Source: TV 2 (state media)