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January 15, 2026

RUDN University students have developed a smart system to save tourist destinations from overload.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A team of graduate students from the RUDN University Graduate School of Management has developed a digital solution to combat overtourism, one of the main problems facing the modern travel industry. The "QuotaSphere" project has already been assessed by the RUDN.VC accelerator and is preparing for pilot implementation.

Infrastructure at the limit

"Popular tourist areas—from nature trails to museums—are facing critical overload. Seasonal peaks in visitor numbers, the lack of a unified regulatory system, and a lack of forecasting data are leading to infrastructure deterioration, a decline in the quality of recreation, and environmental damage. Current approaches are insufficient to effectively manage visitor flows when the facilities' capacity is limited. Therefore, we created QuotaSphere—a comprehensive digital platform for proactively managing visitor numbers. Its core is a mathematical model that calculates quotas based on the actual capacity of each specific facility," said Daniil Silin and Arevik Sargsyan, project leaders and second- and fourth-year undergraduate students at the Graduate School of Management.

According to the developers, the system includes:

A load planning and distribution module; monitoring and analytics tools for key sustainability indices; the ability to integrate with existing facility IT systems; user-friendly interfaces for tourists, tour operators, and site administrators.

The platform will help evenly distribute visitor flow, reducing peak loads without losing overall tourism revenue.

The solution is designed for any facility with limited capacity: specially protected natural areas (SPNAs), eco-trails, museums, parks, resorts, and urban attractions. Implementation of the system will enable the creation of a working quota model, analytical tools for attendance management, and a ready-made, out-of-the-box solution for regional rollout.

Sustainable tourism management

The students conducted in-depth interviews with representatives of government and industry regulatory bodies in the tourism sector and prepared four research papers on the topic of digitalization and quotas for tourist flows. Their project underwent development and initial testing at the RUDN.VC accelerator and received an expert review at the SBER laboratory. To date, they have developed a mathematical model for calculating quotas based on facility capacity, created the architecture of the digital platform and the basic technical specifications, and prepared a prototype of the analytical module (with sustainability metrics and load indices).

As part of the acceleration program, the team received consultations from industry experts, mentors, and government representatives. Participation in in-person conferences, strategic sessions, master classes, and tracking sessions allowed them to refine the solution architecture and quota model. The project's creators see their work as more than just a tech startup.

"QuotaSphere" is a step toward a new level of sustainable tourism management. We are creating an innovative, integrated system that helps territories maintain ecological balance and visitor comfort. Participating in the accelerator allowed us not only to develop the project but also to gain valuable experience that inspires us to move forward and implement modern digital solutions in tourism," said Daniil Silin and Arevik Sargsyan.

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 15, 2026

Two people were killed and two were injured in a crane collapse in Thailand.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

BANGKOK, January 15 (Xinhua) — Two people were killed and two others injured when a construction crane collapsed onto a highway in Thailand, local authorities said.

The accident occurred around 9:10 a.m. local time on the Rama II Highway, which connects Bangkok with Samut Sakhon Province. A crane working on the elevated highway construction site collapsed onto passing vehicles.

Rescue operations are underway. An investigation into the cause of the incident has been launched. –0–

January 15, 2026

The text of Xi Jinping's speech at the Central Conference on Urban Work will be published in the journal "Qiushi"

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

BEIJING, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) — The text of Xi Jinping's speech at the Central Conference on Urban Work will be released on Friday.

The text of the above-mentioned speech by Xi Jinping, who is also the President of the People's Republic of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be published in the second issue of this year's leading journal of the CPC Central Committee, Qiushi.

January 15, 2026

The Colombian President confirmed the date of his meeting with Donald Trump at the White House.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

Bogota, January 15 (Xinhua) — Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Wednesday that his meeting with US President Donald Trump is scheduled for February 3 at the White House.

The date was set following diplomatic exchanges between the two governments, G. Petro noted at a cabinet meeting broadcast live. The Colombian leader emphasized the importance of this meeting for resolving current issues between the United States and Colombia, particularly drug trafficking.

This will be the first personal meeting between the two leaders since D. Trump returned to his post.

The United States has recently increased pressure on Latin American countries over security and drug control issues. On January 4, D. Trump threatened G. Petro, noting that taking action against Colombia "sounds good."

The next day, G. Petro wrote on his social media page that in the face of D. Trump's "illegal threats," he was ready to "once again take up the weapon that no one wants to touch." –0–

January 15, 2026

In 2025, both NEV production and sales volumes in China will exceed 16 million units.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

BEIJING, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) — China's automobile production and sales volumes will both exceed 34 million units by the end of 2025, reaching new historical highs, according to data released Wednesday by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

According to the data, last year the production and sales of new energy vehicles (NEV) amounted to 16.626 million and 16.49 million units, respectively.

January 15, 2026

Immersion in Russian history: open lectures for high school students and prospective students will be held at the State University of Management.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The State University of Management invites 10th and 11th grade students, undergraduate students, and the general public to open lectures on history given by Professor Nikolai Omelchenko, Head of the Department of Public Administration and Political Technologies at the State University of Management, Doctor of Historical Sciences, and laureate of the Russian Federation Government Prize in Education.

The expert will examine the central issues related to national specifics and historical features of the formation of Russian statehood, and will provide a comparative analysis of the Western European and domestic paradigms of state-political development.

In addition, the reforms of Peter I, Catherine the Great, Alexander I, and Alexander II, which are important for understanding the specifics of Russian statehood, and the features of Russia's historical development at the beginning of the 20th century and during the Soviet period, will be conceptually presented.

Lecture participants will be able to delve into the most complex issues of Russian history and learn about new approaches to understanding the traditional foundations of Russian society's political culture, the national mentality and character of the Russian people, and historical alternatives to the state and political development of our country.

Studying history isn't just about knowing dates and events; it's about understanding the processes that shape our society and state. Open lectures will allow young people not only to expand their knowledge but also to develop critical thinking and learn to analyze and interpret historical events.

Meetings will be held online on Thursdays at 8:00 PM via this link. The first lecture will take place on January 29, 2026. Participation is free.

Lecture schedule

Schedule of history lectures for applicants

Date of the event	Lecture topic	Responsible lecturer
January 29, 2026 (Thursday) 20.00-21.20	Lecture 1. Russian statehood and political culture of society: common and specific features in the formation of state relations in Western countries and in Russia	Professor Omelchenko N.A.
February 6, 2026 (Friday) 20.00-21.20	Lecture 2. The evolution of state power in the history of Russia from Kievan Rus to the beginning of the 20th century	Professor Omelchenko N.A.
February 12, 2026 (Thursday) 20.00-21.20	Lecture 3. The history of Russia in faces	Professor Omelchenko N.A.
February 19, 2026 (Thursday) 20.00-21.20	Lecture 4. The Moscow state and the features of governance of traditional society (16th–17th centuries).	Professor Omelchenko N.A.
February 26, 2026 (Thursday) 20.00-21.20	Lecture 5. The Russian Empire on the Path of National Modernization. The Evolution of Russian Statehood under Peter the Great and in the Post-Petrine Period (late 17th century – first half of the 18th century).	Professor Omelchenko N.A.
March 5, 2026 (Thursday) 20.00-21.20	Lecture 6. The Russian Empire on the Path of National Modernization. The Evolution of Russian Statehood during the Reign of Catherine II.	Professor Omelchenko N.A.
March 12, 2026 (Thursday) 20.00-21.20	Lecture 7. Russia in the first half of the 19th century.	Professor Omelchenko N.A.
March 19, 2026 (Thursday) 20.00-21.20	Lecture 8. Russia in the context of reforms in the second half of the 19th century.	Professor Omelchenko N.A.
March 26, 2026 (Thursday) 20.00-21.20	Lecture 9. Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. The Revolution of 1905–1907 and the formation of Russian parliamentarism	Professor Omelchenko N.A.
April 2, 2026 (Thursday) 20.00-21.20	Lecture 10. Between Reform and Revolution. The Revolution of 1917 and the Bolsheviks' Rise to Power	Professor Omelchenko N.A.
April 9, 2026 (Thursday) 20.00-21.20	Lecture 11. Features of the formation of Soviet statehood (October 1917 – mid-1930s)	Professor Omelchenko N.A.
April 16, 2026 (Thursday) 20.00-21.20	Lecture 12. Soviet Russia in the pre-war and post-war years (second half of the 1930s – early 1990s).	Professor Omelchenko N.A., associate professor Vernichenko N.A.
April 23, 2026 (Thursday) 20.00-21.20	Final training on the material covered	Professor Omelchenko N.A.

Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 01/29/2026

January 15, 2026

Rosneft has discovered new archaeological sites.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

In 2025, employees of the Rosneft scientific institute in Samara discovered seven new archaeological sites in the Samara and Orenburg regions. The specialists surveyed over 200 land plots allocated for economic development by Samaraneftegaz and Orenburgneft (Rosneft's production assets).

The survey included 17 cultural heritage sites, seven of which were archaeological sites not previously recorded in historical sources or documents. These included three burial mounds, two single burial mounds, and one settlement—Nizhnenikolskoye III (Samara Region).

Archaeological finds discovered during the survey of the settlement, including fragments of ornamented ceramic dishes and bones of domestic animals, according to experts, belong to the Srubna culture* of the late Bronze Age (second half of the 2nd – beginning of the 1st millennium BC).

In the Orenburg region, near the village of Pervo Maya, three burial mounds were discovered during an investigation of a previously unknown burial mound. Archaeological material was recovered during the excavation, including a bronze girth buckle (part of a horse harness) crafted using the casting technique. The monument presumably dates to the Early Iron Age (7th century BC – 4th century AD).

During fieldwork in 2025, specialists also clarified the boundaries of previously identified cultural heritage sites: the Maryevka I burial mound, the Maryevka II solitary burial mound, the burial mound near the village of Lebyazhka, and others.

Based on the results of surveys conducted by the institute's specialists, historical maps of the Urals and the Volga region were supplemented with new archaeological sites.

Rosneft is committed to preserving historical and cultural heritage and, in accordance with Russian legislation, conducts archaeological surveys at the pre-project stage of any construction work.

* The Srubnaya cultural and historical community is an archaeological culture of the Late Bronze Age (second half of the 2nd – early 1st millennium BC). Geographically, it was widespread in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of Eastern Europe between the Dnieper and the Ural Mountains. In the Volga region and the Urals, the culture is widely represented by archaeological sites, including settlements and burial mounds. Ethnicity: Indo-Iranian. The main activities of the Srubnaya culture were cattle breeding and agriculture.

Reference:

Archaeological teams have been working at Rosneft's Samara Research Institute since 2019. Over the past six years, specialists have surveyed over 1,600 land plots for planned projects, delineated the boundaries of 204 archaeological sites (settlements, isolated burial mounds, and burial mounds) and registered them with the state. Another 183 cultural heritage sites have undergone preservation monitoring and inspection.

Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft January 15, 2026

January 15, 2026

A Polytechnic University student project for children with neurodiversity won a competition.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Students of the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Institute of Civil Engineering at St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Elizaveta Melekhova and Irina Pauls, presented their work at the international Design competition.

The game involves choosing answers and actions while completing tasks. The decisions you make influence not only your success in completing the tasks but also the children's relationships. The boarding school psychologist acts as a teaching character, guiding the player throughout the entire process. A journal is accessible at any time, containing sections including a handbook of traits, children's cards, tasks, inventory, and a map. Movement between locations is accomplished by clicking on the room icons on the map, accessible from the journal.

For people with disabilities or social anxiety, games provide a safe environment for communication and a way to find like-minded people.

The jury awarded The Spectrum a first-place diploma. The project's directors, Semyon Shchur and Victoria Pedenko, both professors at the Institute of Social Studies (ISS), received certificates of appreciation.

Participating in competitions allows us to evaluate the quality of students' work and present the results to the expert community for qualified evaluation, noted Semyon Shchur.

January 15, 2026

History Comes to Life: International Students from the Polytechnic University Visit the Lenrezerv Museum

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A group of international students from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University visited the unique Lenrezerv Museum and Exhibition Complex. The tour, organized as part of a cultural and adaptation program and events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, allowed future engineers and scientists from around the world to learn about the heroic history of the city where they would study and live.

The Lenrezerv Museum is renowned for its extensive collection of authentic military equipment, vehicles, artillery pieces, and household items from the Great Patriotic War. Each exhibit is a living testimony to the era, telling the story of the resilience of Leningrad's defenders and home front workers.

The students were particularly impressed not only by the technology itself, but also by the stories behind it. Ahmad Md. Nawab, a student at the Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Technology, shared his emotions: "It was a unique experience. We were told the history of the Lenrezerv Museum, the history of the military equipment and combat vehicles used during the war. It was very interesting! For him, like many others, it was a revelation to see the courage and dedication with which people sacrificed themselves."

Liu Yihan, a student at the preparatory department of SPbPU, remarked on the incredible energy of the exhibits: "Visiting the Lenrezerv was unforgettable. I love these authentic wartime artifacts—they remind us of the people who lived, fought, and defended this land. Thanks to such material evidence, history is no longer just words in a textbook—it comes alive."

For the university, such visits are an important part of its educational and cultural work with international students. They help not only improve their knowledge of the Russian language and history, but also deepen their understanding of Russia's values, traditions, and spiritual heritage, as well as the heroism of the people who defended their country.

The Polytechnic University will continue to organize similar excursions to promote intercultural dialogue and strengthen mutual understanding among students from around the world.

January 15, 2026

Adult "Children" in China: How Chinese Zoomers Are Changing the Country's Consumer Market

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

Beijing, January 15 (Xinhua) — For many young Chinese, returning home from work begins not with washing up or changing shoes, but with assembling miniature kitchen models. After lingering on social media before bed, they'll still set their alarm to feed their virtual pet or clean its digital home. Their bags are adorned with cute, fluffy keychains, and their desk drawers are filled with half-assembled surprise boxes.

The so-called "infantile economy," which is said to be "too naive for schoolchildren, but just right for adults," is gaining momentum in China, taking on a wide variety of forms.

Products once considered exclusively for children have gradually transcended age restrictions and become emotional vehicles for Generation Z (born between 1995 and 2009). They can fill their inner child with joy and alleviate real anxiety.

For many Chinese teenagers, the morning dilemma of which stuffed animal to bring has long since become more important than choosing clothes. These seemingly simple bag charms have become a unique language of self-expression and a new driver of the "infantile economy."

At MINISO LAND, a store located on a pedestrian street in Guangzhou (the capital of Guangdong Province, southern China), this trend is evident: an entire wall is dedicated to a collection of pendants – from classic characters from well-known franchises like Hello Kitty and Harry Potter to popular characters like Chiikawa and those from the recently released Zootopia 2.

Shoppers, mostly young people, filled every aisle. Some struggled to hold dozens of items in their hands as they waited in line at the checkout. Prices ranged from tens to hundreds of yuan (US$1 is about 7 yuan), but everyone's passion was the same.

According to surveys conducted by the research institute of the e-commerce company Jingdong, over 80 percent of respondents own their own small toys. Furthermore, nearly 70 percent of respondents have the habit of carrying plush toys, and their primary motivation is the comfort they derive from looking at and touching them.

“These are not just decorations, but mobile mood regulators and visual carriers of youth identity,” explains Liu Xiaobin, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of MINISO LAND.

According to him, hanging accessories and decorations now account for over 35 percent of the entire MINISO LAND soft toy range, and since the beginning of 2025, total sales in this product category have exceeded 12 million units.

This passion is equally noticeable online. On the popular social media app Xiaohongshu /Rednote/, the hashtag "Everything Can Be Put on a Bag" has garnered over 130 million views, while the hashtag "Adults Want to Play with Toys Too" has garnered 25.5 billion views. Users are eager to share their character creation strategies and "socialize" through their shared love of certain characters.

"Every night before bed, I say goodnight to my Laboobu. She's my most reliable companion when I get home from work. I don't think of her as a toy. She helps me relax," said 30-year-old Xiaowen, who bought 23 different plush toys and collectible figurines last year, spending an average of over 1,200 yuan per month.

Zhang Juan, deputy director of the Shanghai Open Strategy Research Center, noted that the rise in emotional consumption among young people is no coincidence; its essence lies in the heightened spiritual needs following the satisfaction of material needs. Young people are willing to pay for "emotions" not only because of increased income but also because of their need for relaxation, leisure, and other entertainment.

Unlike the popular perception of a "pacifier," the "adult pacifier," based on the concept of baby pacifiers, is completely modernized in material, design, and use to meet adults' needs for self-soothing and anxiety relief. This product even pairs with bracelet-style jewelry, transforming them from "personal items" into portable fashion accessories.

According to the "China Sleep Survey Report 2025," the rate of sleep disorders among people aged 18 and over in China has reached 48.5 percent. These types of sleep aids, which specifically address potential problems in people with high blood pressure, such as teeth grinding and pre-sleep anxiety, are gaining popularity among young people.

The "Analysis of Infantile Economy Consumer Trends to 2025" reports that social media discussions on this topic have increased by 26 percent year-on-year, demonstrating significant growth potential and high user engagement. It also notes that this economy is not simply a return to childish behavior, but a model of emotional consumption driven by various psychological needs.

Hong Yong, a research fellow at the E-Commerce Research Institute of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, emphasized that the development of the new consumer sphere is evidence of increasing socioeconomic development and the diversity of consumer lifestyles. This not only provides consumers with more choice but also gives rise to a number of new businesses and market opportunities.

Xu Xinyue, an assistant professor at the Institute of Cultural Industries at Shenzhen University, believes that Generation Z places greater emphasis on self-expression. With rising consumption and the deepening development of the infantile economy, consumer goods that evoke emotions will continue to become an important part of young people's lives.