Kazakhstan's grain exports reach record levels

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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

Almaty, December 24 (Xinhua) — Kazakhstan exported a record 13.4 million tons of grain in the 2024-2025 marketing year, and more than 15 million tons of grain products, including feed meal, the Kazinform news agency reported on Wednesday, citing Kazakh Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov.

"The remaining volume was used domestically for livestock feed, processing, and seeds. To date, 3.9 million tons of the new harvest have been exported, a 13.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Export potential reaches 13 million tons, with exports reaching 45 countries," the minister reported.

A. Saparov also stated that the country plans to launch five major projects by 2028 to process 4.8 million tons of wheat and corn annually. Investment in the industry will total $2.6 billion, creating 3,300 new jobs.

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.

The 45th meeting of the chairman and vice chairmen of the CPPCC National Committee was held in Beijing.

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

BEIJING, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) — The 45th meeting of the chairman and vice-chairmen of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was held in Beijing on Wednesday.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, chaired the meeting and delivered a speech.

Wang Huning called on CPPCC members to carefully study and implement the spirit of the decisions of the recent Central Economic Work Conference, provide guidance on the implementation of the instructions given at the conference, and enhance confidence in economic development.

The CPPCC National Committee Chairman also called for further study and implementation of the spirit of the decisions of the recent CPC Central Committee meeting with the participation of non-CPC members.

He pointed out the need to study the spirit of disciplinary supervision work to consolidate the progress in the practical implementation of the CPC Central Committee's "Eight-Point Rules" for improving the behavioral style of party cadres and civil servants.

Wang Huning noted that political consultants should study and make greater contributions to aspects such as improving the rule of law system under socialism with Chinese characteristics and strengthening cyberspace governance.

The meeting decided to appoint Liu Jieyi as the official representative of the 4th session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee.

In addition, the main work directions of the CPPCC National Committee for 2026 were approved in principle. –0–

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RUDN University doctors have proven the power of teamwork.

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Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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The RUDN University Medical Institute team won second place at the All-Russian Olympiad in Internal Medicine. The competition took place from November 19 to 21 in Moscow during the 20th National Congress of Internal Medicine, the main event of the year for internal medicine specialists.

This success was the result of the coordinated work of a team consisting of fifth- and sixth-year students and first- and second-year residents. The students' training was supervised by Professor Valentin Aleksandrovich Kokorin, Head of the Department of Hospital Therapy, Assistant Professor Shirinjemal Gulmyradovna Gulova, and Assistant Professor Malika Mansurovna Irkabaeva.

Team composition:

Atakhanov Vepa, 5th-year student, General Medicine; Gavrilova Polina Nikolaevna, 5th year, General Medicine; Frolova Anastasia Dmitrievna, 5th year, General Medicine; Alieva Antonina Dzhomartovna, 5th year, General Medicine; Al Lakis Julien, 6th year, General Medicine (team captain); Avad Saad Ahmed Saad, 6th year, General Medicine; Shaimardankulova Shirin, resident, 1 year (specializing in Cardiology); Fanu Semako Feliciano Samuel B., resident, 2 year (specializing in Cardiology); Blerina Bega, resident, 1 year (specializing in Endocrinology); Efremova Sofia Sergeevna, resident, 1 year (specialty "Therapy").

Synergy of theoretical knowledge and clinical experience

The key to victory was the synergy of a mixed team, combining the students' theoretical knowledge with the residents' clinical experience. All participants are active members of the Student Research Club (SRC) at the Department of Hospital Therapy.

"The club was a great help and enhanced our knowledge in all areas of therapy. The team members prepared seriously, each focusing on their own area of expertise," the RUDN team shared.

Team captain Julien Al Lakis noted that the main strategy was the ability to listen to each other and work together using the brainstorming method.

"RUDN University has students and residents from all over the world. We're diverse, but it wasn't a problem for us to find a common solution where needed. At the same time, our differences gave us an advantage, allowing us to find as many interesting solutions as possible. I believe that a joint event like participating in the Olympiad helps us become even more united," added Julien Al Lakis.

Olympic Trials

The Olympiad included several challenging stages. The most challenging, according to the participants, was the imaging diagnostics stage, which required interpreting a variety of data: from photographs of skin lesions to ECGs, CT scans, and blood smears.

"The most nerve-wracking stage for me personally was the final one, as it was crucial. We were neck and neck with the other teams until the very end. Furthermore, this stage was difficult because the problem statement was presented piecemeal. For example, I wanted to get back to the ECG, but by then the text was already on the screen," added Julien Al Lakis.

Despite the tension, the program also found room for relaxation. Resident Sofia Efremova fondly recalled the "Crocodile" segment.

"Because of the opportunity to fantasize and have fun, this stage helped relieve the nervous tension that was undoubtedly present at such a serious event. I think many associate the Crocodile with the most carefree period of our lives—childhood, which makes it my favorite time," noted Sofia Efremova.

Support from Teachers: Participants expressed immense gratitude to their mentors. They are confident that training with RUDN University faculty was the foundation for this outstanding achievement.

"While preparing for the Olympiad, we read a lot of literature, trying to deepen our knowledge not only in the areas that interested us most but also in other areas. A special thank you goes out to our mentors: Valentin Aleksandrovich Kokorin, Shirinjemal Gulmyradovna Gulova, and Malika Mansourovna Irkabaeva. They supported us throughout our preparation and during the Olympiad itself. Without their support and motivation, we would not have been able to achieve such a remarkable result," the RUDN University team emphasized.

Having won silver, the guys aren't resting on their laurels. As the students themselves said, new goals lie ahead: "We'll be stronger next year!"

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The first defense of student projects took place within the framework of the elective course "Project Activities"

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Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

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Victoria Vinogradova and Andrey Belyaev

On December 22, the Project-Based Learning Educational Center at SPbGASU hosted the first defense of projects created by student teams as part of the "Project-Based Activity" elective. Over the course of two days, students presented the results of their teamwork, which was based on real-world requests from the university's partner organizations.

During the fall semester, students from various fields of study were involved in project activities. A total of 52 project proposals were submitted by partners, 19 of which are currently in the active implementation phase.

The submitted works were evaluated by an expert committee, which included representatives of relevant organizations and SPbGASU: Victoria Vinogradova, Vice-Rector for Continuing Education at SPbGASU, Andrey Belyaev (OOO NIP Aquaeffect), Elena Dubko (OOO European Center of Forensic Experts), Mikhail Kabanov (OOO Glavstroy SPb), Vyacheslav Pavlov (OOO LenOblAIZHK), Nikolay Popchenkov (SPb State Public Institution City Center for Advertising Placement and Holiday Decoration), and Tatyana Fedorova (OOO Stroykraft).

The experts noted the high level of project development, the practical focus of the solutions, and the students' well-coordinated teamwork, emphasizing the importance of integrating the educational process with real-world industry challenges.

Victoria Vinogradova, Vice Rector for Continuing Education at SPbGASU, welcomed the participants and guests of the event. In her address, she emphasized that the Project-Based Learning Educational Center opened only in May of this year, but by December, the university had already achieved its first significant results. The project-based learning format allows students not only to master theoretical knowledge but also to apply it in practice, interacting with real clients, working in teams, and developing professional responsibility.

The event also included a ceremony signing cooperation agreements. An agreement was signed between SPbGASU and the St. Petersburg State Center for R&D and Education, signed by Victoria Vinogradova and Nikolai Popchenkov, Deputy Director of the Center. A cooperation agreement was also signed with Aquaeffect Research and Design Institute LLC, signed by Andrei Belyaev, General Director.

The projects submitted for defense covered a wide range of current issues in the fields of construction, engineering, digital technologies, water treatment, design, and urban development.

Project areas include optimizing the construction timeline for a multi-apartment residential building (this topic was developed by two teams), organizing management accounting in a construction company, and creating a digital information model of the entrance area—the first-floor hallway—of SPbGASU.

A number of projects were devoted to issues of architectural design and urban decoration, including the development of festive design for the spaces of city canals (on and above the water), as well as a concept for the New Year's decoration of Nevsky Prospect.

The engineering and technical block included projects for the construction of foundations and reinforced concrete structures, research into water quality indicators depending on the volume of contaminants, forecasting the efficiency of clarification filters for swimming pools using the AE-1 oligodynamic solution synthesis unit, and the development of a method for introducing chemicals into pool water treatment systems.

Particular attention was paid to digital and expert solutions: the study of video footage as objects of forensic automotive examination, the development of an automated system for pre-trip inspection of the technical condition of buses using video analytics, and an assessment of the financial attractiveness of adapting the Apraksin Dvor site for modern use.

Following the defense, the scores awarded by the experts will be taken into account when evaluating students in the "Project Activity" course. The submitted projects will be further developed in the spring semester and will form the basis of team diploma projects, while some of the results are planned to be used in individual final theses.

The organizers noted that project activities at SPbGASU will continue to actively develop, expanding collaboration with partners and creating additional opportunities for students to grow professionally and realize their potential in practical applications.

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Technopark, history of science and the city's underground world are among the professional interests of SPbGASU students

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Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

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In December, students from the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Engineering (FEUE&UGH) attended career guidance excursions. The goal of these excursions was to broaden their professional horizons and introduce them to the practical aspects of their future careers.

The first trip was to the Skolkovo Innovation Center. Participants toured the technology park's laboratories, attended lectures by residents, and attended startup project presentations. The students were particularly interested in a lecture on technological entrepreneurship and startup development, which explored modern approaches to the commercialization of innovative solutions.

"I was very lucky to be invited to Skolkovo. We learned about the center's history, the university, and production in a wide range of fields—from video game development to satellite design. We were there for only one day, but even in that time we learned a lot," said fourth-year student Grigory Vorozhtsov.

Then, first-, second-, and fourth-year students went on trips to the St. Petersburg Planetarium and the Main (Pulkovo) Astronomical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

At the planetarium, students explored a collection of geological exhibits and learned how much the minerals on display would weigh on other planets in the solar system. They then embarked on a virtual journey through the night sky, where they learned about the formation of planets and stars and how the starry sky changes throughout the day.

At the Pulkovo Observatory, the students visited the Astronomical Museum, where they learned about the history of the scientific institution and saw unique instruments and devices from the 19th and 20th centuries, a collection of astronomical clocks, and telescope optics. Of particular interest were the Pulkovo Meridian, which previously served as the reference point for all geographic maps of Russia, and the initial zero point of the country's triangulation.

Tour participants examined a 62-kilogram fragment of the Sikhote-Alin meteorite and peered through the eyepiece of a real telescope. The guide's account of the work of astronomers, past and present, provided a fresh perspective on the role of fundamental science and its importance for modern research.

The final excursion for first- and second-year students majoring in Construction (Water Supply and Sanitation) was "The Underground World of St. Petersburg." An interactive installation in the Water Museum allowed participants to trace the entire journey of water—from the water intakes at the bottom of the Neva River, through filtration stations and city highways, to residential buildings. Participants took a virtual walk along the bottom of sewer collectors, visited Bely Island and the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant, and watched a film about the current state of St. Petersburg's water supply and wastewater treatment systems.

"The tour allowed us to see life in the metropolis from the inside and get a feel for the workings of its infrastructure. This is very helpful for understanding the importance of training water supply and sanitation specialists. The tours have become an important part of SPbGASU's career guidance program, allowing students to gain practical experience with modern technologies, scientific research, and engineering infrastructure, as well as to see how the knowledge they acquire at the university can be applied in real-world applications," noted Yulia Romanova, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Water Management and Ecology.

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Chinese-Russian relations continue to develop at a high level, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia

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

Moscow, December 24 (Xinhua) — The China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era continues to develop at a high level. This was stated by Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui at the China Construction Bank Customer Day New Year's reception for business circles on Tuesday.

"Under the strategic leadership of the two heads of state, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era continues to develop at a high level, providing a solid foundation and broad opportunities for cooperation in all areas," Zhang Hanhui noted.

According to him, trade and economic cooperation between the two countries has demonstrated stable, high-quality development this year. Despite common challenges, such as the sluggish global economic recovery, the resilience and potential of bilateral cooperation are clear to all. China has maintained its status as Russia's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. The new version of the intergovernmental agreement on the promotion and mutual protection of capital investments has laid a solid institutional foundation for bilateral investment.

"China's development is an opportunity for the entire world. We will relentlessly advance Chinese-style modernization, maintain a high level of openness to the outside world, and continually create a first-class internationalized business environment based on market principles and the rule of law," the ambassador emphasized.

As Zhang Hanhui pointed out, China's economy is highly resilient, possesses enormous potential, and is dynamic, with long-term positive development trends unchanged and unwavering. "This will undoubtedly provide all countries, including Russia, with a larger market, richer opportunities, and more stable supply chains," he added.

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The EU condemned the US decision to impose entry restrictions on five European figures.

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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

Brussels, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) — The European Commission on Wednesday strongly condemned the United States' decision to impose entry restrictions on five European figures, including former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, warning that it would act "swiftly and decisively" if necessary to protect the EU's regulatory autonomy.

"Freedom of speech is a fundamental right in Europe and a core value shared with the United States that applies throughout the democratic world," a European Commission spokesperson told Xinhua.

The official representative stressed that the European Union is an “open, rules-based single market” and retains the sovereign right to regulate economic activity in accordance with its democratic values and international obligations.

He said the EU's digital rules were designed to ensure a "safe, fair and equal competitive environment for all companies" and were applied fairly and without discrimination.

The European Commission has requested clarification from the US authorities and continues to address the issue, the official representative added.

The US State Department issued a statement on Tuesday announcing visa restrictions on five EU and UK citizens, saying they were involved in censoring content on US social media.

US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers later revealed the names of the five individuals on the social media platform X, including T. Breton, whom she called the "mastermind behind the Digital Services Act." –0–

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Russia reaffirmed its commitment to Syria's sovereignty and independence, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

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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, December 24 (Xinhua) – Russia has unequivocally reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of the Syrian Arab Republic, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani met in Moscow on Wednesday to discuss bilateral issues, the situation in the region, and practical steps to ensure the key issue of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“I believe that the key significance of this visit is that Russia has unconditionally confirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of the Syrian Arab Republic,” Lavrov said.

"An agreement in principle has been reached on how to develop our trade and economic ties to mutual benefit, building on the foundation laid in previous decades," he emphasized.

"Today, Syrian-Russian relations are entering a new phase," said A. H. al-Shibani. He noted that the new Syria "seeks to establish balanced relations with all states." –0–

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A radioactive water leak has been detected at a decommissioned nuclear reactor in central Japan.

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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

Tokyo, December 24 (Xinhua) — A water leak containing radioactive tritium occurred Tuesday at the shut-down Fugen Nuclear Power Plant in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan. The incident raises the possibility that several workers may have been exposed to radiation, local media reported.

According to Hokuriku Broadcasting, tritium levels in one of the rooms increased during dismantling work. Decommissioning work is currently ongoing at the decommissioned nuclear facility.

The report said no environmental impacts were recorded. –0–

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The UN Security Council extended the mandate of the African Union mission in Somalia.

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

UNITED NATIONS, December 24 (Xinhua) — The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the African Union (AU) Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) for another year, until December 31, 2026.

Resolution 2809, adopted unanimously by the 15 members of the Security Council, also reaffirms the tasks of AUSSOM as set out in Resolution 2767 of December 2024, which authorized AUSSOM for an initial period of 12 months.

In accordance with Resolution 2809, AU Member States will continue to deploy up to 11,826 uniformed personnel, including 680 police officers, to AUSSOM for the authorized period.

The document emphasizes the need for additional support for AUSSOM and the Somali security forces so that Somalia can strengthen the fight against al-Shabaab and strengthen peace and security in the country and the region. The resolution also urges traditional and emerging donors to support the mission by providing the necessary funding to fully implement its mandate.

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