Category: 27-7

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The 8th New Year's Fair "From Village to City" has opened in Baku.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

Baku, December 22 /Xinhua/ — The 8th New Year's fair "From Village to City" has recently opened in Baku, with about 80 farmers from 35 regions of Azerbaijan participating.

The fair's main goals are to support the market entry of products produced by small and medium-sized farms, provide farmers with alternative distribution channels, and provide city residents with local, high-quality, and affordable produce in anticipation of the holidays.

"Prices here are much lower than at markets and supermarkets. Because we, as farmers, offer our products directly to customers," said beekeeper Gahraman Ibragimov.

G. Ibragimov brought four types of honey to the fair, including mountain and linden, as well as citrus fruits grown in his own garden – tangerines, oranges, kiwis, and lemons.

Another fair participant, Farid Gasanov, emphasizes the exclusivity and freshness of his products. Among them are Lankaran tea, local varieties of Hashimi rice, and specialty products like apple flour and pumpkin cubes.

"The advantages of our fair are high-quality products and low prices. We bring in products specifically from the countryside, many of which are difficult to find in regular city stores," noted F. Gasanov.

The fair, organized to mark World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day (December 31) and the New Year, will run until December 30. More than 140 types of goods are on display.

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.

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The 19th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee opened in Beijing.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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, December 22 (Xinhua) — The first plenary session of the 19th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) of China was held in the Chinese capital on Monday. The session will consider a number of bills and reports from government agencies.

The meeting was chaired by Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhao Leji.

The members of parliament considered a number of bills, including the draft Environmental Code, the Promotion of Ethnic Cohesion and Progress Act, the National Development Planning Act, the Hazardous Chemicals Safety Act, the State Assets Act, the Childcare Services Act, and the Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Act.

Lawmakers also considered draft amendments to several laws, including the Fisheries Law of the People's Republic of China, the Civil Aviation Law of the People's Republic of China, the Common Language and Script Law of the People's Republic of China, the Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China, the Banking Supervision and Regulation Law of the People's Republic of China, and the Trademark Law of the People's Republic of China.

In addition, the deputies reviewed a draft law on the interpretation of certain provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code and a draft decision on convening the 4th session of the 14th NPC.

The report on the powers of individual deputies and decisions on personnel changes were also considered.

Zhao Leji also attended the second plenary meeting of the 19th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee on Monday, where lawmakers heard reports on a range of issues, including reports on the audit of the implementation of the Energy Conservation Law of the People's Republic of China and the Law of the People's Republic of China on Promoting the Circular Economy, as well as a report on addressing problems identified in the audit of the implementation of the central budget and other budget revenues and expenditures for 2024. –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.

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Hong Kong officially launched the "Southbound Travel for Guangdong Motor Vehicles" travel scheme.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

HONG KONG, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) — The "Southbound Travel for Vehicles from Guangdong" scheme officially began operating from midnight Tuesday.

Under this scheme, approved private vehicle owners from Guangdong Province (in southern China) with confirmed travel bookings can enter the Hong Kong metropolitan area through the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Each Guangdong vehicle can remain in Hong Kong for up to three days per visit.

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.

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December 22, 2025 The international "Conservation Embassy" program will expand to Namibia. International cooperation

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Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

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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.

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Regime change in Syria has disrupted production of the region's most widely used synthetic drug.

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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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December 22, 2025 Peace and security

Following regime change in Syria a year ago, the illicit production of Captagon, one of the most widely used synthetic drugs in the Middle East, has been significantly disrupted. This is according to a new analytical report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which contains preliminary findings from a large-scale study to be published in 2026.

Since December 2024, the new Syrian authorities have closed 15 industrial laboratories and 13 warehouses previously used for Captagon production and storage. However, the UNODC notes that production likely continues in other Middle Eastern countries. However, researchers have been unable to confirm the widespread belief that some Syrian production facilities may have been relocated to other regions, including Africa.

By the end of 2024, Captagon production in Syria reached several million tablets per day. Experts estimate that the accumulated stockpiles could sustain the illicit market for several more years, fueling regional smuggling networks.

The market is experiencing a shortage, and seizure volumes are growing

The Persian Gulf countries remain a key market for Captagon. Signs of shortages are already being reported in several countries in the region, likely due to increased anti-smuggling measures.

Since December 2024, the UNODC has confirmed at least 177 million tablets seized—approximately 30 tons—across the Arab region. The final figures may be higher as data collection continues.

At the same time, smugglers are actively seeking new routes. The report notes that transhipment and repackaging points in Western and Central Europe, as well as North Africa, are increasingly being used.

The region unites in the face of a common threat

As the threat mounts, countries in the region have stepped up cooperation, sharing intelligence, conducting joint operations, and coordinating efforts to curb illicit trafficking.

According to Bo Mathiasen, Director of Operations at the UNODC, political will and international cooperation were key factors in the record seizures in 2025. He noted that the market's expansion in previous years had divided the region, but now the need for decisive action is helping to consolidate it.

The UNODC warns that disrupting Captagon production chains could lead drug traffickers and users to switch to methamphetamine and other synthetic substances. This could accelerate the spread of new drugs in the region.

The study emphasizes that the fight against illicit drug trafficking must be combined with the development of scientifically based prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation systems. Only such a comprehensive approach will effectively counter the expansion of the synthetic drug market.

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.

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Breaking: At least four people were injured in a laboratory explosion near Lyon, France – media

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

Paris, December 22 (Xinhua) — At least four people were injured in an explosion that occurred at a laboratory in eastern France on Monday, two of whom were seriously injured, local media reported.

The explosion occurred at the Elkem Silicones laboratory, located near Lyon in the Rhone department. –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.

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The Danish Prime Minister demanded that the United States respect the country's territorial integrity.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

OSLO, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) — Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Monday that they expect the United States to respect the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.

"We have already spoken very clearly on this issue. Now we reiterate our position. The annexation of other countries is unacceptable, even under the pretext of international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the United States should not seize it. We expect respect for our shared territorial integrity," the two leaders said in a joint statement.

The comments came after US President Donald Trump announced late Sunday that he had appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the United States' special envoy for Greenland, reigniting diplomatic tensions between the United States and the Kingdom of Denmark.

“Jeff understands how important Greenland is to our national security and will vigorously advance our country’s interests for the safety and survival of our allies,” Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social.

J. Landry said on social media X that he was honored to take on this position “to make Greenland part of the United States.”

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced that Denmark would summon US Ambassador Ken Howery for a meeting and demanded respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, which includes Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland.

"I am upset, especially by the special envoy's statements about Greenland joining the United States. We find this completely unacceptable," L. L. Rasmussen told the Danish television channel TV 2.

Since taking office in January of this year, D. Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in gaining control over Greenland, stating that he would not rule out using “military or economic coercion” to achieve this goal.

Greenland, once a Danish colony, became an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. In 1979, it was granted home rule, increasing the region's autonomy. However, Greenland's foreign affairs and defense remain under Danish jurisdiction.

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.

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The territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark must be preserved – EU Spokesperson for External Relations and Security Policy

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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, December 22 (Xinhua) — Denmark's territorial integrity and sovereignty, including over Greenland, must be preserved, said Anwar El-Anuni, the European Union's spokesman for external relations and security policy, commenting on the US appointment of a special envoy for Greenland.

“Maintaining the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, its sovereignty and the inviolability of its borders is of key importance to the European Union,” the official representative said at a press conference, adding that the EU’s position is based on its long-established approach to this issue.

On Sunday, US President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the United States' special envoy for Greenland. On Monday, Landry thanked Trump on the social media platform X, stating, "I am honored to serve you in this voluntary capacity to make Greenland part of the United States."

The appointment of a special envoy has exacerbated tensions between the United States and the leaders of Denmark and Greenland. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced on Monday that he intends to summon US Ambassador Ken Howery for a meeting.

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.

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2,309 regulatory legal acts were submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for review 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

BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) — A total of 2,309 regulations and judicial interpretations have been submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) for registration and review in 2025.

This figure was announced at the ongoing session of the NPC Standing Committee. On Monday, the NPC Standing Committee's Legislative Work Committee submitted a report on the registration and review of regulatory legal acts for 2025 to the session.

Registration and examination are powers granted by the Constitution and laws of the PRC to ensure the conformity of various types of regulations and judicial interpretations.

According to the report, several local regulations were revised during the review process, such as the requirement for a minimum purchase price of 120,000 yuan (approximately US$17,004) for vehicles used in the online taxi industry.

As noted in the report, in 2025, the commission also received 6,705 proposals for revision of regulations from Chinese citizens and organizations. –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.

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The EU has extended economic sanctions against Russia for another six months.

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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, December 22 (Xinhua) — The Council of the European Union on Monday extended its previously imposed sweeping economic sanctions against Russia for another six months, until July 31, 2026.

Sectoral sanctions, first introduced in 2014, were significantly expanded after February 2022. According to the EU Council, the restrictions include broad restrictions in areas such as trade, finance, energy, technology, dual-use goods, industry, transport, and luxury goods.

The restrictive measures also include a ban on the import or transit of seaborne oil and certain petroleum products from Russia to the European Union, the exclusion of several Russian banks from the SWIFT system, and the suspension of broadcasting and licenses for several Russia-backed media outlets accused of spreading disinformation. Furthermore, the EU has taken targeted measures to prevent sanctions evasion.

The EU said these measures would remain in place for as long as Russia's actions continued, with further steps to be taken if necessary.

The EU statement also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing support for Ukraine. Last week, the European Council approved a €90 billion (approximately $105.4 billion) loan to meet Ukraine's military and economic needs over the next two years.

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.