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The death toll from anti-personnel mines has reached a four-year high.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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December 1, 2025 Peace and security

The number of civilian deaths and injuries from mines and explosive remnants of war has risen to its highest level in four years, according to a Landmine Monitor report presented in Geneva on Monday.

In 2024, 6,279 casualties from this type of weapon were recorded worldwide. Children in countries affected by armed conflict are particularly vulnerable.

"In 2024, 90 percent of casualties were civilians," noted Lauren Percy, the report's lead analyst. "Almost half of all casualties were children… In Afghanistan, 77 percent—more than three-quarters—were children, and that's appalling."

The presentation of the report in Geneva was organized by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines with the support of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.

The Convention is under threat

The report's authors warn that the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention is facing its most serious crisis in decades.

"Several countries are taking steps that genuinely threaten the viability of the convention," said disarmament expert Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan.

Five European countries – Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland – are preparing to legally withdraw from the convention, citing changed security conditions following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukrainian territory in 2022.

Ukraine, according to Moser-Puangsuwan, claims it can "suspend" certain convention obligations during the war. The report's authors consider such a move legally untenable. The report also cites indications of Ukraine's use of mines in 2024–2025, when explosive devices were allegedly dropped by drones.

Expanding pollution

Anti-personnel mines remain a serious problem in at least 57 countries and territories, including 32 states parties to the treaty. Seven countries remain heavily contaminated with remnants of war: Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Turkey, and Ukraine.

On a positive note, Oman completed demining in 2025, becoming the first state party to do so since 2020. More than half of the countries have reduced contamination through site surveys and cleanup.

"Despite progress, the goal of completing mine clearance by 2025 remains elusive. Now, 2030 becomes a potential finish line," said senior researcher and report co-author Catherine Atkins.

Funding crisis

Lack of funding is already undermining mine action programs around the world.

"In 2025, the US froze funding for the sector," recalled analyst Ruth Bottomley. "This move halted some programs and completely closed others, demonstrating the vulnerability of a system dependent on a few large donors."

Mine clearance projects in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Colombia, Tajikistan, and Zimbabwe have already been closed. Victim assistance programs have also suffered: international support in this sector has been cut by 23 percent, and the healthcare systems of Ukraine and Palestine are struggling to cope with the rising number of amputations.

Experts warn that without restored funding, increased political will, and adherence to previous commitments, contamination of territories with hazardous remnants of war will grow faster than humanitarian organizations can respond.

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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At least 12 people have died and 30 are missing in a river accident in Peru.

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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

LIMA, December 1 (Xinhua) — At least 12 people were killed, 30 were missing, and six were injured in a river accident that occurred early Monday morning in the port of Iparia in Coronel Portillo province, Ucayali region, in central-eastern Peru, local police said.

According to law enforcement, a landslide occurred near the port of Iparia on the Ucayali River around 5:00 AM. It impacted a passenger pier, sinking two passenger ships moored there.

The victims have now been taken to the nearest hospital, and search and rescue operations are ongoing. –0–

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Georgia expects to completely resolve the problem of illegal migration within 3-4 years.

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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

Tbilisi, December 1 (Xinhua) — According to data for the first 11 months of this year, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs expelled 1,131 illegal migrants from the country. This was announced by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze at a government meeting on Monday.

According to him, this figure corresponds to the total for the previous 7 years.

"According to the plan presented by the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, at least 3,500 illegal migrants will be deported from the country next year. This is the minimum figure. Overall, according to this plan, the problem of illegal migration will likely be completely eliminated within 3-4 years," stated I. Kobakhidze.

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Georgia's economic growth will exceed IMF forecasts, says Prime Minister

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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

Tbilisi, December 1 (Xinhua) — By the end of the year, Georgia's GDP will exceed 100 billion lari (1 lari is equivalent to approximately $0.37) for the first time in history, and nominal GDP per capita will exceed $10,000. This was announced by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze at a government meeting on Monday.

According to the National Statistics Office of Georgia, economic growth amounted to 7.6 percent from January to October 2025. Therefore, as I. Kobakhidze noted, there is a high probability that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast for Georgian GDP growth, which is 7.2 percent, will be exceeded by the end of the year.

"According to purchasing power parity, per capita GDP will exceed $30,000 for the first time, compared to $10,000 just eight years ago. From an economic perspective, the country is developing correctly across the board. Accordingly, we will do everything we can to ensure that growth trends continue and that we maintain a high rate of economic growth," the head of the Georgian government stated.

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AIDS prevalence in China remains low, according to the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention.

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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, December 1 (Xinhua) — The overall prevalence of HIV/AIDS in China remains low, with blood transfusion transmission largely interrupted, and mother-to-child transmission and injection drug use effectively controlled, according to data released by the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention.

December 1 marks World AIDS Day. According to Xia Gang, deputy head of the department, over 40 years of dedicated efforts, China has made significant progress in AIDS prevention and treatment, with treatment coverage and virus containment rates exceeding 95 percent.

According to Xia Gang, thanks to improvements in the prevention and treatment system, modernization of technical methods, and increased accessibility and convenience of services, the mortality rate has decreased by 86 percent compared to 2003.

The AIDS Prevention and Treatment Plan for 2024-2030 sets goals to reduce the overall infection rate in China to less than 0.2 percent by 2030, and to ensure timely diagnosis and notification of the virus for more than 95 percent of those infected.

Erasmus Mora, Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Office in China, noted that China plays an active role in global efforts to prevent and treat AIDS, sharing experience and resources with countries that need support most.

However, as Xia Gang warned, AIDS prevention and control in China remain challenging. "Certain challenges remain, such as the high rate of sexual transmission, which stands at over 98 percent, insufficient awareness of voluntary testing, and non-compliance with clinical guidelines after diagnosis," he noted.

In accordance with the recently adopted proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for socio-economic development, China aims to enhance public health capacity, strengthen the disease control system, and effectively prevent and contain major infectious diseases.

Xia Gang emphasized that China will adhere to a prevention-focused strategy, combine prevention and treatment measures, and take a comprehensive and differentiated approach to consolidate the progress achieved in the fight against AIDS.

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The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft will return to Earth without a crew, according to CMSA.

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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, December 1 (Xinhua) — Following a suspected collision with space debris, the Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft, currently docked with the Chinese space station, will return to Earth unmanned, according to Ji Qiming, spokesperson for the China Manned Space Administration (CMSA).

After a suspected debris strike on the Shenzhou 20's window, the three astronauts originally scheduled to return to Earth on that spacecraft were sent aboard Shenzhou 21, which safely returned them home on November 14.

On November 25, the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft was launched into space to provide a new transport for the return of another crew from orbit. This was the first emergency launch in the history of China's human spaceflight program.

As Ji Qiming reported in a recent interview with China Central Television, during a subsequent spacewalk, the Shenzhou-21 crew, currently on a six-month orbital mission, may be tasked with inspecting cracks in the damaged window. The astronauts may also install protection on the window using specialized equipment delivered aboard Shenzhou-22. This procedure is currently undergoing testing on Earth.

The day before their scheduled return on November 5, the Shenzhou-20 crew noticed an anomaly on the edge of the window—a triangular spot resembling a paint stain. They photographed it from different angles and in different lighting conditions, and also used the cameras on the robotic arm to obtain additional exterior images.

The defect was later identified as "through cracks," according to Jia Shijin, chief designer of the manned spacecraft system at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CAST). "The size of the space debris that damaged the window is estimated to be less than a millimeter, but it struck at an extremely high speed," the designer noted.

He said that after an initial analysis of the situation, specialists on Earth conducted extensive modeling and testing, and commissioned two research institutes to conduct wind tunnel tests for independent verification.

Jia Shijin explained that in the worst case, the cracks could widen, causing the outer glass to detach, which in turn would lead to high-temperature damage to the inner sealing glass, depressurization during re-entry during return to Earth, and penetration of high-speed airflow.

Guided by the principle of prioritizing the safety of astronauts, China has chosen an unprecedented procedure for alternative return and emergency launch.

Ji Qiming noted that the return of Shenzhou-20 without a crew will provide reliable and valuable experimental data for subsequent missions.

According to Wu Dawei, an employee of the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, four mice were also sent into space aboard Shenzhou-21. Initially, they were supposed to undergo an in-orbit experiment lasting five to seven days, but instead, they stayed there for about two weeks and returned with the Shenzhou-20 crew. All the mice returned healthy.

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 Belarusian Foreign Ministry protested the violation of the Belarusian border by a drone from Lithuania.

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

Minsk, December 1 (Xinhua) — Lithuania's Chargé d'Affaires in Belarus, Erikas Vilkanetsas, was summoned to the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. A protest was lodged against him regarding the violation of the Belarusian state border by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Lithuanian territory on November 30. The ministry's press service released the corresponding information.

The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement that the drone illegally entered Belarusian airspace from the Lazdija District Municipality of Lithuania and crashed within the city of Grodno. An analysis of the wreckage, including video footage and navigation data contained on flash drives, indicates that the Western European-made UAV's route included a flight over Belarus, a flight to Poland, and a return to its takeoff point in Lithuania.

"We regard these actions as a deliberate provocation not only against Belarus but also against Poland. Such actions pose a threat to Belarus's security and are a direct violation of international law, including the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation," the statement emphasized.

The Belarusian side demanded that the Lithuanian side provide detailed and comprehensive information about the circumstances of the incident, including the purpose of the launch and the aircraft operator, conduct a thorough investigation, bring to justice those responsible for organizing this provocative act, and take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“Belarus reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security based on the current situation,” the Belarusian Foreign Ministry stated. –0–

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Cuts in international aid threaten Tajikistan's fight against HIV

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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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December 1, 2025 Healthcare

A new report from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) shows how cuts in international funding are destroying support systems for people living with HIV worldwide. This is particularly acute in Tajikistan.

Takhmina Khaidarova's story is in many ways illustrative in this context. She contracted HIV from her husband, a migrant worker working in Russia. After his death, Takhmina was disowned by her own family.

"Before that, I didn't even know HIV existed in Tajikistan," she admits. Today, thanks to the Tajik Network of Women Living with HIV, Tahmina helps others cope with the isolation she experienced. However, such examples may soon become rare.

Recent freezes and cuts in international aid threaten to shut down programs run by community organizations. The Spin-Plus Foundation, which works with at-risk individuals and people who inject drugs, is already feeling the effects. "People who need ongoing support—social, human, and advisory—are being left without it," says the foundation's director, Pulod Jamolov. Staff cuts and branch closures have become a reality.

Tajikistan, despite economic growth in recent years, is the poorest country in the region: a third of its GDP comes from remittances from migrant workers. Approximately 60 percent of the national HIV response plan is funded by international donors. Until January 2025, 20 percent of these funds came from the US-based PEPFAR initiative.

Social and structural barriers in Tajikistan exacerbate the situation: a weak healthcare system, restrictive laws, gender inequality, and long-entrenched norms fuel stigma and discrimination. Nearly 97 percent of women living with HIV conceal their status even from family members, and 64 percent face discrimination, including from healthcare workers.

Authorities estimate that a 10–20 percent reduction in HIV funding in Tajikistan could lead to a 135 percent increase in new infections and a five percent increase in mortality, erasing years of progress.

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Anti-personnel mines: UN Secretary-General warns of consequences of weakening the Ottawa Convention

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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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December 1, 2025 Peace and security

The 22nd meeting of the States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, or Ottawa Convention, opens in Geneva this week. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on states party to the treaty to reaffirm their commitment to a world free of these deadly weapons.

The meeting is taking place against the backdrop of serious challenges to the Ottawa Convention, a key international instrument for humanitarian disarmament. A number of recent events—including the withdrawal of individual countries from the treaty and declarations of suspension of obligations (which are not provided for in the document)—underscore the need to renew commitments and reaffirm the treaty's fundamental principles.

In a video message to the meeting participants, the Secretary-General expressed deep concern about the erosion of humanitarian norms aimed at protecting civilians from indiscriminate weapons. He called for both increased membership of the Convention and increased commitment among existing signatories.

The danger of anti-personnel mines remains

"Anti-personnel mines are among the most brutal and indiscriminate weapons. They continue to kill and maim people long after conflicts have ended. Four out of every five victims are civilians, often children," the UN chief noted.

Those injured by mines face long-term health consequences, as well as social isolation and financial hardship due to loss of ability to work. Contamination by these munitions hinders the delivery of humanitarian aid, as well as recovery and economic development efforts.

The need for a new impetus

Over the quarter-century of the Convention's operation, the number of casualties has dropped significantly, millions of stockpiled mines have been destroyed, vast areas have been cleared, and a number of countries have declared themselves "mine-free." Today, 166 states—more than three-quarters of the UN's members—are parties to the treaty. The recent accession of the Marshall Islands and Tonga confirms the relevance of the Convention's goals.

Through his campaign on humanitarian disarmament and mine action, led by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs and the UN Mine Action Service, with the support of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action, the Secretary-General calls for urgent strengthening of international humanitarian law, the development of partnerships in this area, and ensuring that the commitments made by States bring real benefits to people.

The Twenty-Second Meeting of the Parties to the Convention provides an opportunity to reaffirm its goals and give new impetus to efforts to end the use of anti-personnel mines worldwide.

“We must reaffirm our commitment to protecting human lives, upholding international law, and restoring hope to communities still living with the threat of mines,” the UN Secretary-General stressed.

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Techpred, Season 2: Over 300 GUU students learned the fundamentals of technology business

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Source: Official website of the State –

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Entrepreneurial skills training courses have concluded at the State University of Management. This year, the number of participants almost doubled compared to last year.

This time, educational technical pre-intensive workshops for students were led by experts from the startup studio "Discovery of Innovations," Togliatti State University (TSU), and Pyatigorsk State University (PSU). Although the masterclass programs varied, their overall goal was to teach students the fundamentals of technological entrepreneurship and motivate them to create innovative startup projects.

Our students learned to work in teams, formulate and test hypotheses, discussed real-world market cases, analyzed existing monetization models, and, under the guidance of experienced trainers, went through all stages of launching an innovative product—from generating a creative idea to the final pitch. Furthermore, entrepreneurial skills training enabled future managers to hone such important skills as leadership, communication, self-motivation, and risk adaptation.

The most active participants received gifts from partners and organizers, and certificates of participation in the training sessions became excellent additions to the young entrepreneurs' portfolios—for example, such a document gives additional points when applying for the Foundation for Assistance to Innovation's "Student Startup" competition.

Entrepreneurial competency training is the entry point to the broad and diverse ecosystem of the University Technological Entrepreneurship Platform of the federal project "Technologies." In 2025, over 100,000 students from across Russia participated in entrepreneurial competency training. The Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) operates this program.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: December 1, 2025.

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.