What's New? Russia and Iran plan to formalize relations with the signing of a new strategic partnership treaty in the days before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. The news was broken by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, who told reporters on Monday that he hoped the leaders of the two nations would sign the agreement "at the end of January," Russian state-owned outlet Sputnik reported. Newsweek has contacted the foreign affairs ministries of Iran and Russia for comment. Why It Matters The new treaty, potentially occurring just days prior to Trump's inauguration on January 20, signals an attempt by the two nations to combine their respective powers in the face of growing isolation on the world stage. Russia and Iran are members of what analysts at the Center for New American Security have dubbed the Axis of Upheaval , a group of states, which also features China and North Korea, that have increasingly positioned themselves as opponents of Western powers. The two nations have been heavily sanctioned and censured by the U.S. and its allies over the past few years, the former as a result of the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and the latter because of concerns over alleged, covert attempts to develop nuclear weapons as well as the actions of its military proxies in the Middle East. What To Know A treaty with Iran has been in the works for years, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry, which in early 2022 claimed that a "major new interstate agreement" was being finalized, without providing specifics. In late October, days after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the 16th annual BRICS summit in Kazan , Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the agreement would be ready for the two leaders' signatures in the near future, and that this will "will formalize the parties' commitment to close defense cooperation and interaction in the interests of regional and global peace and security." "An agreement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran will be an important factor of strengthening Russia-Iran relations," Lavrov said at the International Conference on Eurasian Security. The new bilateral treaty will replace the 20-year strategic agreement signed between the countries in 2001 and extended in 2020 and is said to contain promises of cooperation in areas such as energy, manufacturing, transportation and agriculture, according to state-linked Iranian outlet Mehr News Agency. In mid-2023, Russian outlet News.ru noted that difficulties had arisen in constructing the new treaty as a result of Russia's alleged support of the United Arab Emirates' claims to islands in the Strait of Hormuz that Iran considers part of its territory. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that the parties were still working on the "speedy completion" of the document. Russia and Iran have in the past collaborated in these economic areas while also working to bypass their respective sanctions . In October, Pezeshkian described the relationship between the two nations as "strategic and sincere," and said that economic and cultural cooperation was " getting stronger day by day ." In September, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Iran of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine, though Tehran has denied reports claiming it was doing so. What People Are Saying Mohammed Soliman , director of Strategic Technologies and Cyber Security Program, Middle East Institute, in comments to Breaking Defense in July: "A comprehensive agreement might formalize closer political ties, potentially strengthening their shared opposition to the West, particularly in light of the Ukraine conflict and sanctions. While not explicitly mentioned, the agreement could lead to further collaboration on military technology or intelligence sharing." What Happens Next? A Russian delegation led by deputy prime ministers Alexei Overchuk and Vitaly Savelev arrived in Tehran on Monday, according to Iranian media reports, where they are set meet with Pezeshkian. The new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement will be discussed during the meetings, according to Iran International . Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this article? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.Technology can help keep women safe. It can also provide a false sense of security
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! is back and we couldn't be happier with this year bringing one of the best line-ups to date. The hit ITV show Down Under returned to our screens on Sunday, 17 November with our favourite presenting duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. The likes of Coleen Rooney, Oti Mabuse, GK Barry, Danny Jones and Jane Moore are taking on this year's Bushtucker trials and camp conditions in the hope of becoming King or Queen of the jungle. Since I'm A Celebrity first aired in 2002 we've watched a bundle of celebrities take the jungle crown after winning the hearts of the nation and battling through gruelling tasks, but where are they now? As we wait for to see who will be crowned King or Queen of the jungle, we thought it would be fun to see what previous winners are up to now... Former Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson was crowned King of the Jungle in 2023, after winning over millions of viewers. The TV personality has gone on to join the This Morning team while enjoying the success of his podcast, Staying Relevant, which he hosts with best pal Pete Wicks . Sam is back in Australia this year to host spin-off show I'm A Celebrity...Unpacked alongside Joel Dommett and Kemi Rodgers. Former England Lioness star Jill Scott entered the jungle in 2022, shortly after winning the Euros. Jill has since gone on to find TV fame and made a number of appearances during the Women's World Cup this summer. She also became the first female player to captain England for Soccer Aid. When I'm A Celeb returned to Wales for the second time, Emmerdale 's Danny Miller was named King of the Castle, beating Simon Gregson and Frankie Bridge . After his castle adventure, Danny briefly returned to Emmerdale as Aaron Dingle, who came back to make amends with his sister Liv. Despite promising he was back for good, Aaron made a dramatic exit as part of the soap's 50th anniversary storyline. Danny revealed that his busy schedule meant he couldn't stay in the Dales for long. He shared with Leeds Live: "I've got a few things on at the end of the year - including a pantomime and other stuff. Then I've got a job, so it is just not the right time. But I'm not one of those actors who says 'that's it now, I've shelved it'." Giovanna was the first star to be crowned Queen of the Castle. The author and blogger, 35, won the nation's hearts with her appearance on the hit ITV show - that was relocated to Wales amid the pandemic. Giovanna's career has gone from strength to strength since her castle stint. She hosts the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, has continued to write books and recently took to the stage in 2:22 A Ghost Story. Giovanna played the role of Jenny, previously played by Lily, at the Gielgud Theatre following its run at the Noel Coward Theatre. In 2022, Giovanna fronted her own travel show, titled Giovanna Fletcher: Made In Italy, where she and her family take a trip to Italy to relive some of her most precious moments from her childhood and explore their roots. Poor Jacqueline had a tough time in the jungle after campmate Myles Stephenson apparently told the actress her husband Dan Osbourne had had a thing with his ex, Gabby Allen. Upon being crowned queen, Jac broke down and vowed that she would be seen as a 'doormat' no more and became the first winner to cancel all interviews. She and Dan responded to the critics by sharing a lovely holiday picture and assuring their fans that they've left the 'past in the past'. She posted: "We have gone through a very long journey, to be where we are today. Happy. Anyone that thinks differently, don't Comment negative comments unless you want to be blocked. You do not know the ins and outs of what we have both been through, to get to a good place now. I am proud to be with my husband, stand strong and keep our family together. I will not let stupid comments pull me back to the past and dampen my sparkle!! I'm past it and you all need to be in order to follow me. Thanks!! Obvs love all you positive ppl that just get life!! thanking you!" The couple then splashed out on a fancy £1.2 million mansion in Essex, where they now live with their two daughters Ella, seven, and Mia, four. Football manager Harry had never watched I'm A Celeb before and had no idea what was involved but decided to sign up anyway. From the start, he was a favourite among his fellow campmates and viewers at home, with everyone instantly warming to his down to earth nature and humour. He often spoke about his wife of 54 years, Sandra, and their blissfully happy relationship they'd began when they were just 17. Harry and Sandra went on to release a joint book, When Harry Met Sandra, which explores their more than 50 year-long romance. Georgia came into the public eye though E4 reality series Made in Chelsea where she was used to living the high life. Despite her privately educated background and Conservative political views, Toff was a down to earth campmate and popular among her fellow celebs and fans too. She beat Iain Lee and Jamie Lomas to the title and couldn't have been more shocked. She's also starred in Celebs Go Dating and landed herself a presenting slot on This Morning . Toff's used the dosh from winning wisely and has bought two holiday homes in Devon, where she was brought up. She's now engaged to BrewDog CEO James Watt. After the success of Channel 4's Gogglebox , Scarlett Moffatt also emerged victorious from the Aussie jungle. Her win brought her to the attention of hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, who took their fellow Geordie under their wings. She co-hosted Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway in 2017 and 2018, helmed a reboot of iconic dating show Streetmate, and returned to the jungle to co-host Extra Camp for series 17. Scarlett has continued her hosting career as she fronts ITV's Love Bites as well as her own podcast Scarlett Moffat Wants To Believe. She also fronted a documentary on Tourette's in 2022. After leaving Geordie Shore, Vicky was hoping that I'm A Celeb would give her career a boost. She transformed herself into a fitness expert and in 2016, she got the chance to host the spin-off show Extra Camp. However, after just one season, Scarlett Moffatt replaced her. In 2018, she appeared in the Aussie version of the show and teamed up with Dom Joly on Celebrity Haunted. In 2019, she participated in Celebrity Coach Trip. In 2022, Vicky said yes to Ercan Ramadan's romantic proposal in Dubai and the couple tied the knot in two spectacular ceremonies in 2024. Carl "Foggy" Fogarty, the Superbike champion and dad of Love Island star Claudia Fogarty, won series 14 after eating a camel penis and ostrich anus in the live final. After his victory, Foggy played matchmaker, pairing fellow contestant and X Factor star Jake Quickenden with his daughter, Danielle. Unfortunately, things didn't work out between Jake and Danielle. Jake is now married to Sophie Church and they have a son together. Jake is also a proud stepdad to Sophie's son from a previous relationship. Kian Egan, a member of Westlife, joined the 2013 series after his band broke up and the girl group he managed (Wonderland) didn't succeed. After winning the show, he released his debut solo album which reached number 9 in the UK charts. He's now a coach on The Voice of Ireland (the Irish version of The Voice), and married to actress and Wonderland singer Jodi Albert. The couple are proud parents to two boys. Charlie Brooks, who won the jungle crown in 2012, is best known for playing Janine Butcher on EastEnders . After her stint in the jungle, she continued to play Janine until 2014. She's been in a few other TV shows like Suspects and has also been on stage in plays. She's also got lots of fans because of her fitness achievements. In 2021, Charlie came back to Albert Square as Janine and caused quite a stir by falling in love with Mick Carter (played by Danny Dyer). Following a huge showdown on Christmas Day, Mick got lost at sea and Janine wound up in prison, going on to welcome a baby off-screen while in jail. Dougie Poynter from McFly won the show in 2011 while his band was taking a break. Since winning the show, McFly have kept making music and touring - and even joined up with Busted to form superband McBusted. He's also done well as a model - he's walked for famous fashion label Dolce and Gabbana in their fashion shows. Dougie is not just a musician, but also a children's book author. He even joined forces with his bandmate Tom Fletcher (husband of Giovanna) to pen stories for little ones. Stacey Solomon , who won hearts in the 2010 series of I'm A Celeb, had previously been a runner-up on X Factor. She released her first album, Shy, in 2015 and became a regular face on Loose Women the following year. Stacey also presented I'm A Celeb Extra Camp for a while, and she's happily married to Joe Swash . Gino D'Acampo, the charming celebrity chef, made it to the final in 2009. However, he faced animal cruelty charges after leaving the jungle, which were later dropped. Gino has since been a regular on This Morning and Celebrity Juice, and he's opened a new restaurant in London. Joe Swash, known for his role in EastEnders, was crowned king of the jungle in 2008. He went on to host the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here NOW! spin-off from 2009, which was renamed Extra Camp in 2016. In 2007, his then-fiancee Emma Sophocleous gave birth to their son Harry Swash, but they split just seven months later. He met X Factor star Stacey Solomon in 2010 when she won I'm A Celeb, and they confirmed their relationship in 2016. Joe and Stacey are parents to three young children - Rex, five, Rose, two, and one year old Belle. In July 2022 the couple tied the knot in a ceremony which took place in the grounds of their home, Pickle Cottage. Christopher Biggins, a veteran actor, won the I'm A Celeb crown in 2007 and enjoyed something of a career renaissance. However, that stalled after a disastrous appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016 where he upset viewers by making derogatory remarks about bisexual people and was booted from the house amid accusations of anti-Semitic comments. He insisted he wasn't a bigot and apologised, telling The Sun: "I am mortified by what's happened, really mortified. Most of my friends, in fact, are Jewish. I apologised to Big Brother and [housemate] Katie [Waissel]." After leaving Busted, Matt Willis hoped that a stint in the jungle would boost his solo career. He ended up winning and later enjoyed success with the Busted and McFly mash-up band, McBusted. Matt and his then-girlfriend Emma Griffiths co-hosted the ITV spin-off from 2006 to 2008. They later got married and have three children: Isabelle, Ace, and Trixie. In May 2023, Matt released a candid documentary with the BBC about his battle with addiction. In 2005, journalist Carol Thatcher won I'm A Celeb. She managed to step out of her mother's shadow, the late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Her victory led to a correspondent role for the BBC's One Show, which lasted until 2009. The broadcaster dropped her after she reportedly called a black cricket player an offensive word in the green room. She refused to apologise, telling the Guardian: "I stand by what I said. I wasn't going to apologise. I never meant it in a racist way. It was shorthand. I described someone's appearance colloquially someone I happen to greatly admire." Comedian Joe Pasquale won the fourth series of I'm A Celeb. His win briefly revived his career and earned him an ITV special titled An Audience with Joe Pasquale in 2005. Joe has made a few TV appearances since his time in the jungle. He guest-hosted The Paul O'Grady Show in 2009 and The Nightly Show in 2017. Last year, he took to to the stage in a Snow White pantomime in Nottingham. Atomic Kitten's Kerry Katona was crowned the first female winner of I'm A Celeb in 2003. Her life has been full of ups and downs since then, with her love life often making headlines. She was named Celebrity Mum of the Year in 2005 and even bagged an advertising deal with Iceland. However, Kerry's life took a turn when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder during a stint in rehab. She married taxi driver Mark Croft on Valentine's Day 2007, and their daughter Heidi was born just six days later. But by 2011, they had split up. Kerry then started a relationship with rugby league player George Kay. Their daughter Dylan-Jorge was born in April 2014, but Kerry nearly died during the birth. The couple got married in September 2014, but split up a year later after Kerry filed assault charges against George. They tried to patch things up in 2015, but George's public meltdown in July 2017 was the final straw. Tragically, George passed away in July 2019 from a suspected overdose. These days, Kerry is happily dating nutrition expert Ryan Mahoney. This year, Kerry released a book titled 'Kerry Katona: Whole Again', where she bravely shared the abuse she endured from her late ex, George. In addition, Kerry bagged her first presenting gig in 20 years with BBC Radio Five Live this month. Phil Tufnell, who won the title of King of the Jungle in 2002, has since appeared on various reality shows and game shows, including The Chase. He was also a team captain on A Question of Sport between 2005 and 2015. In 2018, he joined Australia's Seven Network as a commentator for the BBL and Sri Lankan Test matches. Radio DJ Tony Blackburn, the winner of the first ever I'm A Celeb back in 2001, presented radio shows on BBC Radio 2 but parted company with the BBC in February 2016 after failing to fully co-operate with the Jimmy Savile enquiry, according to then-Director General Tony Hall. After threatening to sue, Tony was reinstated on October 19, 2016. That same year, he underwent prostate surgery but was found not to have cancer. Then, in 2023, he was forced to take time away from his Radio 2 show after he collapsed from a serious illness. Once rushed to A&E, the star discovered he had sepsis, pneumonia and blood poisoning. He recovered saying he is "lucky to be around" and continues to host a show each Saturday and Sunday on the station.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jonathon Brooks doesn’t know how he’ll feel once Sunday comes, once his long-awaited debut for the Carolina Panthers is here. Same goes for Jonathon’s brother, Jordon. Same goes for his mother, Jennifer Donovan, too. The same probably is true for the throngs of people in Hallettsville, Texas, who’ve been reading all the injury news and calling anyone and everyone they know in Charlotte to get the latest update on their hometown hero. There’s one person who the family has been wondering about, specifically, though. He’s been the subject of the question Jennifer, Jordon and Jonathon have asked more and more lately, as the Panthers’ contest with the Kansas City Chiefs at 1 p.m. Sunday in Bank of America Stadium approaches. What would Dad think? “It’s funny because Jordon and I, we say that a lot, too,” Donovan told The Charlotte Observer over the phone earlier this week. “We just really wonder what Skip would be saying. How would he be reacting?” “Honestly, I don’t know,” Jordon began. He then laughed. “I mean, well, I do know.” James “Skip” Brooks would be happy, the son said. “And I can only imagine how happy he’d be.” When Jonathon Brooks makes his NFL debut Sunday, he’ll be playing for a lot of people. The second-round draft pick, who has missed the first chunk of his rookie season recovering from an ACL tear he suffered Nov. 11 of last year, will be playing for his friends. He’ll be playing for his teammates. He’ll be playing for his mother, who helped raise her shy kid from a small southern Texas town who has a gift for finding the open field. He’ll be playing for his brother, who he used to ride bikes with and jump on trampolines with and played living room football with until the end zone couches couldn’t take anymore. He’ll also be playing for his father, who fueled his football dream, who died in 2022 but who Brooks is convinced has been watching over him since. “I feel like I play for a bigger reason,” Jonathon said. “I play for God, my family.” As he always has. Even when it wasn’t easy. The 3 touchdowns the Brooks family won’t forget Ask about Jonathon, and there are three trips to the end zone that stick out in the Brooks family’s collective memory. It’s not hard to see why. The first came when Jonathon was a freshman at Hallettsville High. Jordon, then a senior, remembers it well. It was the seventh week of the 2017 football season, and Jonathon, who’d been tearing it up at the JV level, had gotten called up to varsity. The offense was less than 5 yards away from the end zone. For years, Jordon had seen what others hadn’t. That’s what happens when you’re two of nine grandchildren, part of a big family that featured three uncles and five aunts on Dad’s side and three uncles on Mom’s. It’s also what happens when you’re the son of Skip. Skip Brooks was born and raised in Shiner, Texas, a slightly bigger town than neighboring Hallettsville that is known for its Shiner Bock beer. He was a football player back in the day and used to tease his kids that he was a great running back, too — that they’re lucky they didn’t have video to show how elusive he was. Skip loved his boys and loved pushing them in their shared passion for football. He coached them at times when they were running around in the community’s youth leagues. Jordon acknowledges that “I know he’s my brother and all” but “the way he could see the field was insane at a young age.” And that’s why when coach called a handoff-counter-right on that Friday night in the fall of 2017, Jordon knew what would happen: a touchdown. With no planned celebration, Jonathon just sprinted to his brother, who’d already jogged to his position as a blocker on the PAT team, and jumped up and celebrated with a shoulder bump. A newspaper photographer captured it mid-air; that’s one of Jennifer’s favorite pictures in her scrapbook, she said. “I almost wish they were closer in age and could have more time playing together because it was just really a lot of fun,” Jennifer said. “Everybody in town was super excited.” The second memorable touchdown came four years later, while Jonathon was at Texas. A lot had happened in those four years. He’d go on long road trips with his father and brother — from San Antonio to Florida to California — to play football and get people to see him play. As a sophomore, Jonathon was offered a scholarship to Texas. As a senior, he lived up to that billing, putting up stats that made eyes across the country pop: 3,530 yards and 62 touchdowns on 350 carries. Who is this guy, and where is Hallettsville? That second special touchdown came late in the fourth quarter in a game against Rice. The Longhorns were on the good side of a blowout. Brooks took a handoff from the shotgun, ran left and sliced through the defense for a 17-yard score. That score was the only one he got in the 2021 season, when he backed up Bijan Robinson, now with the Atlanta Falcons. It was also the only collegiate touchdown his father saw. Skip Brooks passed away March 28, 2022, during a spring practice of Jonathon’s sophomore year. Kidney disease ran in the family, and he was on and off dialysis for years. A few months after restarting dialysis in December 2021, he underwent surgery, and complications from that surgery formed a blood clot, which ultimately killed him. The loss of Skip was an incalculable one for a Shiner community who adored him and a devastating one for the family who loved him. That leads us to the third touchdown — and to the many more thereafter. Jonathon and Jordon, a few weeks after the death of their father, each got tattoos on their forearms that read the date March 28, 2022 in roman numerals with “Dad” emblazoned over it. Every time Jonathon stomps into paydirt now — and every time he will in the future — the shy, small-town Texas kid taps his forearm, as if he’s ringing Skip’s heavenly doorbell, and points to the sky. ‘To finally live out his dream’ You’re probably familiar with Jonathon Brooks from here. After waiting two seasons to be the premier back at Texas — behind talents Roschon Johnson and Robinson — he broke out like everyone figured he would as a redshirt sophomore. In 11 games that 2023 season, he finished with 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing, enough to solidify him as one of the best running backs in the country. That 11th game, against TCU, Brooks tore his right ACL. That meant no NFL scouting combine. No Senior Bowl appearances. But that didn’t stunt Brooks’ NFL stock. The Panthers selected Brooks in the second round of this year’s draft, making him the first running back taken off the board. And despite reports of his timeline being ready by training camp — that it was a complete tear, making the recovery process potentially less complicated — the Panthers’ brass made it clear that they were content taking their time with Brooks. That time almost came two weeks ago, when Brooks was activated to the 53-man roster. But on Sunday, that time will finally come: Panthers coach Dave Canales said that he “fully expects” Brooks to make his debut against the Chiefs — and it’s possible to expect him to get more touches than he otherwise might, with typical third-down back Miles Sanders still nursing an ankle injury from Week 10. It might not be a lot of touches, of course. Panther running backs not-named Chuba Hubbard have only earned 42 rushes through 10 games. But the most memorable moments for Jonathon haven’t come in the biggest seasons, after all. They’ve come in the smaller moments. They’ve all involved his family, too: as a freshman in high school celebrating with his older brother; as a freshman at Texas scoring the last touchdown Skip saw; as a player now, every time he hits the end zone and points to his father. To Brooks, family is everything. And everyone can tell. “It would be amazing,” Ja’Tavion Sanders said Monday. The jovial rookie tight end said this when he was asked how he might feel when Jonathon — his Texas Longhorn teammate and next-door locker buddy who considers himself an honorary member of the Brooks family — finally makes his NFL debut. He said it in earshot of Brooks, who could only smile and shake his head as Sanders bragged on him. “All the trials and tribulations, and then him putting all the work in just to get back to this point and to ultimately have his debut, to finally live out his dream that he’s worked so hard for, I’ll be so excited,” Sanders continued. “Hopefully I’m in when he gets that first carry so I’m blocking for him.” Jonathon’s mother feels the same. Jordon does as well. They, too, have thought about Skip a lot — whether that be while walking their two golden doodles, Nala and Nova, or while Jordon chips away at getting his commercial driver’s license. Skip, after all, was an 18-wheel truck driver and carried lumber and pipes across the country while always finding ways to prioritize one of his joys: watching his sons play football. As Sunday approaches, the question gets louder: How would Dad feel? “I wonder that,” Jennifer said. “Because he was kind of an introvert. He didn’t show a whole lot. Didn’t say a whole lot, sometimes even. But I do want to believe that he would have some tears. I do. Just proud. Just feeling really happy that his child has done this. And he pushed it and wanted it so bad for him. I think he would probably have some tears. He might wipe them real quick so nobody sees. But I think he would be feeling quite a lot.” Skip would have every right to. He has every right to. As does his son. ©2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Türkiye has no intention of aggression, regime change in Syria: Foreign minister