47 people were poisoned by food at a hotel in northern 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, February 16 (Xinhua) — Forty-seven people who ate at a hotel in Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan have developed symptoms of food poisoning and been diagnosed with norovirus, local media reported on Monday.

According to the Kyodo Tsushin news agency, citing the prefectural government, the poisoned individuals experienced symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea after eating at the Towadaso Hotel in Towada City.

Norovirus was reportedly found in stool samples taken from guests and kitchen staff.

The Kamikita Public Health Center in Tawada City classified the incident as a case of food poisoning and ordered the hotel establishment to suspend operations for five days, starting February 15.

According to available information, all 47 patients are already recovering. –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.

The photo exhibition "Bridge to China" has opened in St. Petersburg.

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

St. Petersburg, February 16 (Xinhua) — A photo exhibition, "Bridge to China," opened Monday in the Linear Park of St. Petersburg's Vasileostrovsky District. It introduces visitors to four Chinese cities: Shanghai, Guangzhou, Yiwu, and Hangzhou.

A photo exhibition held on the eve of the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year, the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year) was part of the citywide festival "Chinese New Year – a Joyful Spring Festival." It features over 40 photographs depicting national traditions, urban landscapes, everyday life, and modern achievements in China.

The exhibition was organized by the publications “Peterburgsky Dnevnik” and “Vecherniy Sankt-Peterburg” with the support of the Committee on Printing and Interaction with the Media and the Committee on External Relations of St. Petersburg.

The choice of location for the photo exhibition was no accident. The city's Vasileostrovsky district has traditionally been associated with Chinese culture. It is home to educational institutions teaching Chinese, and a large number of Chinese students reside here.

According to Lyudmila Sytnova, Deputy Head of the Vasileostrovsky District Administration, the exhibition will be another step toward strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.

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.

Seven people died in a fire at a factory in India.

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

New Delhi, February 16 (Xinhua) — At least seven people were killed and several others were injured in a fire that broke out at a chemical plant in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, police sources confirmed by telephone.

The incident took place in Bhiwadi Industrial Area.

All the victims were employees of a chemical plant. An investigation has been launched into the incident.

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HAPPY SPRING HOLIDAY!

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HAPPY SPRING HOLIDAY! HAPPY SPRING HOLIDAY!

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Diplomats from China and Russia praised the results of bilateral cooperation.

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Moscow, February 16 /Xinhua/ — Russian and Chinese diplomats praised the results of cooperation between the two countries. Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko spoke at the opening ceremony of the "Spring Festival 2026" New Year's Fair at Huaming Park, China, on Monday.

The Spring Festival (Chinese Spring Festival, the traditional Chinese New Year according to the lunar calendar), which falls on February 17 this year, is increasingly celebrated around the world. "Today, New Year's events are held in nearly 200 countries and regions, and the joy of the holiday is shared by a fifth of the world's population," noted Zhang Hanhui.

According to him, 2025 marked a significant milestone in China-Russia relations. The two leaders jointly participated in commemorative events commemorating the 80th anniversaries of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War, and the end of World War II. "This event once again underscored both countries' enormous contribution to the defeat of Nazism and militarism, as well as our shared resolve to uphold historical truth and defend the post-war world order," the Chinese diplomat emphasized.

Among the significant events of the past year, he cited the successful completion of the China-Russia Cross-Cultural Years and the introduction of a visa-free regime, which gave a powerful impetus to contacts in all areas.

The year 2026 marks several significant anniversaries: the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese-Russian strategic partnership, the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation, and the launch of the cross-years of education. "Thanks to the strategic leadership of our heads of state, political trust and mutually beneficial cooperation will only grow stronger," Zhang Hanhui expressed confidence.

A. Rudenko, in turn, stated that trade turnover between Russia and China last year once again significantly exceeded the $200 billion mark. "Our countries remain key trading partners. Russia is the leading supplier of oil and gas to China. We are actively cooperating in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. We are promoting high-tech projects, including space exploration. Humanitarian exchanges are growing," he noted.

A. Rudenko noted the close strategic coordination between Moscow and Beijing on the global stage. China's presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, culminating in the summit in Tianjin, was productive. China's chairmanship of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation has begun. "We have no doubt in the success of our Chinese friends and are ready to provide them with every assistance," the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister promised.

“In contemporary global affairs, the foreign policy tandem of Moscow and Beijing is a key stabilizing factor in the world, contributing to the consolidation of the Global South in the formation of a more equitable international multipolar world order,” A. Rudenko emphasized. –0–

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Kyrgyzstan's GDP grew by 9 percent in January 2026.

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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

Bishkek, February 16 (Xinhua) — Kyrgyzstan's gross domestic product (GDP) in January, according to preliminary estimates, amounted to 125.7 billion soms (approximately $1.44 billion), up 9 percent year-on-year, the country's National Statistical Committee reported on Monday.

The share of the service sector in GDP was 52.3 percent, commodity production industries – 30.7 percent, and taxes on products – 17 percent.

The volume of foreign and mutual trade in goods in January-December 2025 amounted to $15.8 billion, which is 10.2 percent less than year-on-year. –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.

Territorial issues will be discussed at the Geneva talks, according to the Russian President's press secretary.

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

Moscow, February 16 (Xinhua) – All key issues, including territorial ones, will be discussed at the Ukraine talks in Geneva, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov announced on Monday.

“This time, we intend to discuss a broader range of issues, including, in fact, the main questions that concern both territories and everything else—which, in fact, are connected with the demands that we have,” noted D. Peskov.

A Kremlin spokesman announced that the Russian delegation at the Geneva talks will be expanded. "This time, in addition to [Presidential Aide Vladimir] Medinsky, there will be Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and other officials," he said.

D. Peskov also noted that meetings will be held in Geneva within the framework of the working group on economic issues, which includes the special representative of the Russian president, Kirill Dmitriev.

Earlier, the Russian president's press secretary announced that the next round of talks on Ukraine would also take place in a trilateral Russian-American-Ukrainian format on February 17-18 in Geneva. The Russian delegation will be headed by Vladimir Medinsky.

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Iran's Foreign Minister and the IAEA Director General held a meeting in Geneva.

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

TEHRAN, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi on Monday to discuss technical issues related to Iran's nuclear program.

According to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the meeting took place at A. Araghchi's residence in Geneva, Switzerland, ahead of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, which are scheduled for February 17 in that city.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on several technical issues related to cooperation between Iran and the IAEA within the framework of Tehran's safeguards obligations and in light of the law suspending bilateral cooperation adopted by the Iranian parliament last June. Iran also outlined its position on technical aspects related to indirect negotiations with the United States regarding the nuclear program.

Following the meeting, R. Grossi wrote on the social network X that the parties had held “an in-depth technical discussion” in preparation for “important” negotiations scheduled for February 17. –0–

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Breaking: Iranian Navy begins exercises in the Strait of Hormuz – media

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Cairo, February 16 (Xinhua) — The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval forces have begun exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported on Monday.

The main objectives of the exercises are to “assess the readiness of the IRGC naval units, review security plans and possible scenarios for mutual military response in the face of security and military threats in the strait area, and wisely utilize Iran’s geopolitical advantages in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman,” the statement said. –0–

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A salt factory has opened in northern Afghanistan, with investments amounting to US$8 million.

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Kabul, February 16 (Xinhua) — A new salt production and processing plant with a daily capacity of 240 metric tons has opened in Balkh Province in northern Afghanistan, the official Bakhtar News Agency reported on Monday.

The plant was built by a domestic investor, with an investment of $8 million. It will meet a significant portion of Afghanistan's domestic salt demand. Efforts are also underway to increase production and eventually launch exports, the agency reported, citing the plant's administrative director, Ghulam Rasul Malikzai.

Plant workers called the launch a significant contribution to job creation and called on the government to offer investors greater support and incentives.

Afghanistan has reportedly now achieved self-sufficiency in salt production and processing, marking a milestone in the country's efforts to develop its mining industry and reduce its dependence on imported goods.

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.