The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that “the conversation took place on the American request”. ● Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry have discussed the state of affairs in the Palestino-Israeli settlement, the situation around Syria, the crisis in Ukraine and some issues of bilateral relations as well as wished each other a Happy New Year.

Stephen Lendman ■ Russia Reset? Hold the Cheers

As a little light amusement before what promises to be a rather grim year, I present this example of fearless Western journalists freely exercising their freedom of freeness.

US President Barack Obama's approval rating has plummeted to 15 percent among active duty military, whilst his disapproval rating has increased to 55 percent according to the results of the Military Times poll. ● The results of the Military Times poll revealing that US President Barack Obama's disapproval rating among active duty military has increased to 55 percent, while his approval rating has plummeted to just 15%, reflecting a number of factors including budget cuts, the social makeup of the military and friction between civil and military leaders, political analysts told Sputnik. "The Military Times poll is not a probability sample of the entire military, but it is a good poll for tracking changes over time in an important segment of the military: the career oriented rank and file, both officer and enlisted," Peter Feaver, a professor of political science and public policy at Duke University said. The annual Military Times survey released Monday found Obama's disapproval rating has risen from 40 percent in 2009 to 55 percent in 2014. Obama's approval rating has declined from 35 percent to a 15 percent during the same period.

Another uncrewed migrant ship with 450 migrants bound for Italy has lost power off the European country’s coast of Puglia. ● The Italian air force said Thursday that it sent forces onto the vessel through a helicopter to bring it under control. “Because of the difficult weather conditions, the ship can only be boarded from the air,” the air force said in a statement, adding that the vessel had no crew on board. The Ezadeen, sailing under the flag of Sierra Leone, was spotted 40 miles (65 kilometers) off Capo di Leuca, the tip of Italy’s heel, in choppy seas. This came days after Italian coastguards rescued hundreds of migrants, including Syrian refugees, from another ship found without any crew. Many of the migrants on the Moldovan-registered Blue Sky M cargo ship were treated for hypothermia and broken limbs.

Sputnik News: Italian Rescuers Save Abandoned Ship With 450 Migrants on Board