Marat Khusnullin: In 2025, the Unified Customer completed construction on more than 40 federal facilities.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

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The new building of the Museum of the World Ocean, Kaliningrad

In 2025, the Single Customer in Construction Company completed the construction and reconstruction of more than 40 socially significant projects. These projects are included in the register of capital construction projects and the comprehensive state program "Construction" overseen by the Ministry of Construction. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

"In the past year, the Unified Customer Production and Consulting Company (UCPC) demonstrated impressive results. The company completed the construction of over 40 major federal projects, making a significant contribution to the implementation of the national project 'Infrastructure for Life.' These include modern buildings for the Ural Federal University in Yekaterinburg, a new building for the Institute of Cardiology in Moscow, facilities for the Leo Tolstoy Museum-Estate at Yasnaya Polyana in the Tula Region, the Baltic Federal University named after Kant in Kaliningrad, and much more. The Unified Customer Production and Consulting Company (UCPC) is also the largest federal contractor for the restoration of residential and social infrastructure in the reunified regions of Russia. Over the past year, the company has restored over 1,000 residential and social facilities. Since 2022, specialists have restored over 3,200 infrastructure facilities," said Marat Khusnullin.

The company also oversaw the major renovation of several floors in the main building of Lomonosov Moscow State University and repaired the stylobate section of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences complex.

Furthermore, throughout the year, new cultural, scientific, educational, healthcare, and sports facilities were commissioned and opened, including the N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in St. Petersburg, the Krymsky Russian National Team Training Center in Alushta, a new building for the Russian Ethnographic Museum in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, a new building for the Museum of the World Ocean in Kaliningrad, the Kunstkamera Multifunctional Center in St. Petersburg, 500-bed dormitory buildings and the Center for Innovative Educational Technologies at the Solnechny Children's Camp of the Artek International Children's Center, a new building for the Center for Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology in Moscow, the State Circus building in Volgograd, and other social facilities.

Furthermore, in 2025, the restored Azov Marine Institute opened its doors in Mariupol, the renovated stadium of the Volodymyr Dahl Luhansk State University began operating in Luhansk, and the restoration of numerous sports and educational facilities was completed in Mariupol, Severodonetsk, Henichesk, Pervomaysk, Makiivka, and other cities. A large-scale program to restore housing stock and build new compensatory housing in the DPR continues.

"The company is systematically increasing its construction pace and delivering more and more projects each year. In 2021, when the Unified Customer was first established, we completed 11 capital construction and renovation projects. By 2025, this figure had already reached 40 completed projects of federal significance. This was made possible by the coordinated work of specialists at all stages of construction projects—from handover and design to commissioning. In 2026, we will strive not only to increase construction volumes but also to improve quality standards, ensuring that every social facility meets the highest modern standards and requirements," said Karen Oganesyan, General Director of the Unified Customer.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

By the end of 2025, the number of Chinese-Russian border crossings through the Manzhouli checkpoint in both directions reached a record level.

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

HOHHOT, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) — As of 9 a.m. on December 31, the number of China-Russia border crossings in both directions through Manzhouli Port in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region increased by 9.1 percent year-on-year to exceed 920,000, hitting a new five-year high.

The Manzhouli Border Control Service noted that since the introduction of the mutual visa-free regime between China and Russia, passenger traffic through the Manzhouli checkpoint has been steadily increasing.

Amidst the steady growth of passenger traffic, the local border service actively promoted digital transformation and modernization of the checkpoint, which allowed it to increase throughput by almost 50%.

According to a Chinese businessman surnamed Wang, who frequently travels between China and Russia, the visa-free policy provides significant convenience for businessmen.

“The fast border control process saves a lot of time for people like me who frequently travel between the two countries through the border crossing, and allows us to appreciate the convenience of ‘smart customs’,” he said.

Anna, a traveler from Irkutsk, arrived in Manzhouli with her family for the New Year holidays. "We're looking forward to shopping in China and planning to buy some special New Year's goods and gifts. The children also want to experience the festive atmosphere in China," she said.

Guo Huifang, a local border guard, said the Manzhouli checkpoint will continue to closely monitor passenger flow, constantly optimize the inspection process, improve service quality, and make every effort to ensure the smooth operation of the checkpoint, thereby promoting the development of trade and economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between China and Russia. -0-

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Zhang Zhijun called on compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to jointly promote the reunification of the motherland.

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) — Zhang Zhijun, chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ASTS), called on compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to strive for the great cause of national reunification and national rejuvenation.

He made this appeal in his New Year's message, published in the first issue of the 2026 journal "Cross-Strait Relations." On behalf of the Taiwan Strait Association, he congratulated his Taiwan compatriots on the New Year and wished them all the best.

Zhang Zhijun noted that in 2025, the ACTPA made renewed efforts to counter separatist activities aimed at achieving "Taiwan independence," promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, properly respond to Taiwan-related emergencies, and protect the rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots.

He emphasized that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China and one nation. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will undoubtedly benefit Taiwanese compatriots and open up even brighter prospects for the island's development.

According to Zhang Zhijun, in 2026, mainland China will open a new chapter in its development history, launching the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. Significant new achievements will be made in comprehensively advancing the great cause of building a powerful nation and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, providing reliable guarantees for the development of cross-river relations and strengthening the foundation for national reunification.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Work to uncover and publicize the crimes of militaristic Japan will continue, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Moscow, January 3 (Xinhua) — Russia will continue to uncover war crimes committed by Japanese militarists in 2026, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

"This year, we continue to uncover information about war crimes committed in the mid-20th century, including by Japanese militarists. We have repeatedly emphasized that these atrocities have no statute of limitations, and legal proceedings to punish all those responsible continue to this day," M. Zakharova noted in a commentary published on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website.

As M. Zakharova pointed out, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office, between April and November 2025, ruled to overturn the rehabilitation decisions made in the 1980s and 2000s against Japanese war criminals who participated in sabotage and espionage activities against the USSR. Some defendants were involved in collecting data on the number and deployment of Soviet troops, others trained saboteurs, and still others sent people to conduct experiments on them in "Unit 731."

“Based on the review of court decisions in cassation and supervisory courts, it was established that the individuals in question are not eligible for rehabilitation and their guilt has been fully proven,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a press release. –0–

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Five countries have begun a two-year mandate on the UN Security Council as non-permanent members.

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) — Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia began a two-year term as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council on Friday.

Their two-year mandate officially began on January 1, but Friday is the Security Council's first working day in 2026 after the Christmas and New Year holidays.

To mark the beginning of their mandate, a flag-planting ceremony was held for these countries.

Kazakhstan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Kairat Umarov, who co-organized the ceremony, congratulated the five new members of the UN Security Council and wished them "perseverance, unity of purpose, and success" in their work.

“We hope that over the next two years you will make a meaningful contribution to addressing critical global challenges and strengthening the UN Security Council’s mandate to promote peace and security,” he said.

The flag-planting serves as a clear reminder that serving on the Security Council is both a privilege and a responsibility. It marks the beginning of the fulfillment of a complex mandate on behalf of all UN members, said K. Umarov.

Somalia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Abukar Dahir Osman, as President of the UN Security Council for January and one of the organizers of the ceremony, welcomed the five new members and wished them successful and fruitful work.

“Over the next two years, your voices and your efforts will play a vital role in guiding our collective quest for peace and security,” he said.

“The Security Council has a unique mandate to respond to threats to peace, promote cooperation, and support the most vulnerable by working together, adhering to the principles of multilateralism, and demonstrating respect for the UN Charter,” the diplomat said.

The new members of the UN Security Council replaced Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia.

The Security Council has 15 members: five permanent members (the United Kingdom, China, France, Russia, and the United States) and 10 non-permanent members elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms. The five non-permanent members rotate annually.

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The President of Ukraine announced the appointment of a new head of military intelligence.

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Kyiv, January 3 (Xinhua) — Oleh Ivashchenko, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, will head the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on Friday, according to Ukrinform.

"Starting today, Oleh Ivashchenko will continue to serve our country and carry out tasks to limit Russian military potential in the Ukrainian military intelligence sector," said V. Zelensky.

Presidential Communications Advisor Dmitry Litvin clarified that the necessary documents for the appointment are currently being prepared.

Earlier on Friday, V. Zelenskyy announced that he had proposed that Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, head the Office of the President of Ukraine (OPU). Budanov accepted the offer.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

January 2, 2026: 50% off for the second guest and a special price for children – from $266 on cruises in the Persian Gulf or Mediterranean on the Aroya liner.

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Source: Infoflot Cruise Center – Infoflot Cruise Center –

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Dear friends,

Traveling with your family or friends with AROYA Cruises is not only fun, but also affordable!

From January 2 to February 28, 2026, you can choose a cruise on the Persian Gulf or the Mediterranean Sea, where the second guest travels for half price, and there is a special price for children – from $266.

50% discount for the second guest when occupying the main berth in cabins of the "With Window," "With Balcony," and "Suite" categories. Availability is limited; from $266 – special price for children when occupying the 3rd, 4th, and 5th berths. Port and service charges are included; only for new bookings from January 2 to February 28, 2026; cannot be combined with other discounts and promotions.

AROYA Cruises reserves the right to cancel or change the terms of the offer without prior notice.

The liner's name itself, derived from the words Arabian and roya ("vision"), symbolizes a new format of sea travel, where dreams become reality:

Unique infrastructure – exciting entertainment for every taste: 20 entertainment zones, including the 1018-seat Aroya Theatre, which hosts colorful shows and various performances, a virtual reality zone, a climbing wall, an exquisite spa center with thermal zones and a beauty salon, and exclusive shopping in the largest shopping center located on a cruise ship.

Experience the culture and traditions of Saudi Arabia with special onboard activities, including calligraphy and henna painting workshops, cooking shows, pottery lessons, mosaic making, and Arabian souvenir making (available for an additional fee).

Luxury in every detail – following a major renovation in 2024, the ship's interiors boast an elegant and contemporary design. Guests are offered a variety of comfortable accommodations, ranging from 2 to 12 people.

In premium cabins (suites and villas), guests can enjoy The Khuzama Experience, a special concept designed for those who prefer personal comfort, individual service, and exclusive privileges, including butler service, premium beverage packages, priority boarding and disembarkation, and much more.

A culinary journey – a harmony of authentic Arabic flavors and exquisite international cuisine in premium restaurants, cafes, and bars.

Your cruise price includes dining at five restaurants. Additionally, 10 additional restaurants and cafes are available, where guests can enjoy dishes from a variety of international cuisines prepared by top chefs (additional charge applies).

Russian-language service onboard – menus and daily programs in Russian, Russian-speaking staff (a Guest Relations representative and a dedicated hostess), and most shore excursions with Russian-speaking guides. Family-friendly activities include quizzes, workshops, and game shows designed for both children and adults. The main restaurants always offer kid-friendly options: pasta, pizza, French fries, ice cream, and various desserts.

The children's aqua zone (1858 m²) is one of the largest children's areas in the cruise industry: 5 water slides, a children's pool and a water playground.

For young travellers – from 6 months to 17 years old – there are free children's clubs, divided by age.

Aroya Cruises is the first cruise line created with the Arab mentality and cultural traditions in mind. We'd like to highlight the ship's features:

Alcohol consumption is not permitted during the cruise; the entire menu meets halal standards; guests over 18 years of age can spend time in special bars with hookah; the outdoor pool is available to everyone, with the exception of 4 hours a day, when it is open only for women; prayer rooms are available on board. Accommodation in a cabin of the selected category; All-inclusive meals (except for alternative restaurants); Non-alcoholic drinks during meals (tea, coffee, milk, water, lemonade, juice); 24-hour room service; entertainment activities on board; access to kids' clubs; access to the ship's public areas (swimming pools, jacuzzi, water park and rope park, climbing wall, gym, mini-golf, etc.); basic Wi-Fi package; port and service charges.

Please note; this information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Denis Manturov held a meeting on state defense procurement issues.

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Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

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Denis Manturov held a meeting on state defense procurement issues.

First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov held a meeting on the implementation of state defense orders.

The event was attended by the leadership of the Presidential Executive Office for State Policy in the Defense Industrial Complex, the state corporations Rostec and Roscosmos, the board of the Military-Industrial Commission, and the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov.

The meeting discussed issues related to the timely delivery of highly sought-after weapons, military, and special equipment this year. Plans for 2026 were also outlined.

Denis Manturov noted that the 2025 weapons delivery plans have been fulfilled, and all necessary resources have been secured for 2026. Specific actions have been outlined and tasks assigned to ministries and agencies on issues requiring resolution during the year.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Top Stories | Friday: Sudan, UNRWA, Israel, WHO

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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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January 2, 2026 UN

The main news of the day at the UN and around the world: another wave of escalating violence in Sudan, a statement by the UN Secretary-General on the situation around UNRWA, an appeal by Volker Türk to the Israeli authorities, and Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

Escalating violence in Sudan

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed concern about the impact of escalating violence on Sudan's civilian population, particularly in the Kordofan region and North Darfur state. In South Kordofan state, the humanitarian situation in the besieged towns of Dilling and Kadugli continues to deteriorate: both towns are isolated, supplies are rapidly depleting, and prices for food and other essential goods are skyrocketing. Conflict and instability are also leading to mass displacement.

Statement by the UN Secretary-General on the situation surrounding UNRWA

The UN Secretary-General condemned the Israeli Knesset's adoption of amendments to the law on the cessation of the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). These amendments are aimed at further restricting the agency's ability to operate and fulfill its mandate, he noted. Antonio GuterresMoreover, according to the Secretary-General, they contradict UNRWA's international legal status and must be immediately revoked. The UN chief reiterated his firm support for UNRWA and reminded Israel of its obligations under the UN Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.

Volker Türk's appeal to the Israeli authorities

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on the Israeli authorities abandon plans to pass legislation that would apply the death penalty exclusively to Palestinians—both in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in Israel. According to Volker Türk, such proposals violate international law on a number of levels. Amendments submitted to the Israeli Knesset would lower the threshold for applying the death penalty. They raise serious concerns among human rights activists due to the discrimination against Palestinians and the violation of their due process rights, as well as other violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Every two minutes, a woman dies from cervical cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). January – Cervical Cancer Awareness MonthWHO experts emphasize that the disease is completely eradicated. This requires that 90 percent of girls be vaccinated, 70 percent of women be screened, and most patients receive necessary treatment. According to the WHO, cervical cancer is most common among women without access to healthcare, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. The highest incidence and mortality rates are found in sub-Saharan Africa, Central America, and Southeast Asia.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Tesla to overtake China's BYD in global EV sales in 2025

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) — U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla said on Friday its global shipments fell about 8.6 percent year-on-year in 2025, losing ground to Chinese automaker BYD in annual sales for the first time.

Tesla is projected to produce 1.655 million electric vehicles and deliver 1.636 million in 2025, down from 1.773 million produced and 1.789 million delivered in 2024, according to the company.

The biggest impact on sales was the repeal in September 2025 of tax credits that encouraged American consumers to buy electric vehicles.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, Tesla produced 434,358 vehicles and delivered 418,227, down from 459,445 produced and 495,570 sold in the same period a year earlier. Deliveries in the fourth quarter fell by approximately 16 percent year-over-year.

BYD said Thursday that its global electric vehicle sales will reach 2.257 million units in 2025, up 27.86 percent from a year earlier, with a growing share of sales coming from markets outside China, including Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Tesla currently remains the largest electric vehicle manufacturer in the United States, accounting for approximately 45% of the domestic EV market. However, the company's declining sales volume points to a broader slowdown in the American EV market.

According to statistics from automotive research firm Cox Automotive, sales of electric vehicles of all brands in the US fell by more than 40 percent year-on-year in November 2025.

Industry analysts expect electric vehicle sales in the U.S. to remain subdued through 2026. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.