An Air Astana plane returned to the airport due to smoke in the cabin.

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

Almaty, December 17 (Xinhua) — Air Astana's Airbus A321neo, which was operating passenger flight KC-851 from Almaty to Astana on Wednesday, returned to its departure airport after a distress signal, the Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) of the Kazakh Ministry of Transport reported.

The plane landed at Almaty Airport at 7:40 AM local time. According to preliminary information, there are no injuries among the passengers or crew. As previously reported, the crew issued a May-Day distress signal due to smoke in the cabin.

The State Traffic Safety Inspectorate (KGA) reported that more detailed circumstances of the incident are being established by employees of the Department for the Investigation of Accidents and Incidents in Transport. –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.

Regional media outlets in China and Russia have expressed their willingness to deepen cooperation.

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, December 17 /Xinhua/ — "Russia and China are neighbors. We share a border. And as neighbors, we should know each other, help each other, and cooperate in various areas, especially when it comes to border areas," said Irina Flyur, Deputy Chairperson of the Mir TV and Radio Broadcasting Company.

She made this statement on the sidelines of the 6th Russia-China Media Forum, held on December 16, 2025, in Beijing. The forum discussed a wide range of topics, including cooperation and exchanges between regional media outlets in Russia and China.

"Today we're talking about the most important tool for mutual understanding between nations – media cooperation. In an era of global information flows, it's the media that shapes the image of a neighbor and partner, sets the tone for dialogue, and creates the foundation for long-term relationships," she noted.

"Our countries have different political systems, cultures, traditions, and media landscapes. This is precisely why mutual exchange of information is becoming not just desirable, but essential. It dispels stereotypes, provides an opportunity to hear the 'voice of the other,' and creates a shared information space where facts matter more than speculation," added I. Fleur.

According to Sergei Basalaev, Director of the Volgograd Regional Information and Analytical Center (RIAC), the Volgograd Region is actively developing comprehensive and in-depth cooperation with China, which has demonstrated steady, dynamic growth in recent years.

"This cooperation, built on principles of mutual respect and shared goals, encompasses key areas: from economics and logistics to education, culture, and healthcare, forming a solid foundation for a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership," he said, citing the promising news collaboration between the sister cities of Russia and China. "This will allow residents of the cities to learn more about each other and engage them in travel and excursions."

Yulia Kicheeva, editor-in-chief of the online publication "Om1.ru" from Omsk, paid special attention to stories about people involved in medical cooperation between Russia and China.

"People have always been interested in learning about the lives of others. And no matter how the media's approach to presenting content changes, no matter the news agenda, stories about people stand out, captivating readers. And this is true all over the world—people love reading about people," she noted.

"We have many Chinese citizens in the Siberian city of Omsk—students from Omsk universities and specialists at our industrial enterprises—and there are many Russian citizens in China, including many from Omsk. Sharing stories in the media about how Chinese citizens live in Russia, including Omsk, and the stories of Russians living in China is a potential avenue for cooperation between the two countries," shared Yulia Kicheeva.

The 6th Russia-China Media Forum, entitled “Creating a New Future for Russian-Chinese Media Cooperation: Consensus and Action,” was initiated by the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee and the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation, and organized by the Xinhua and TASS news agencies.

The event was attended by approximately 140 representatives of relevant agencies and heads of media organizations from China and Russia. Eleven documents were signed to deepen bilateral cooperation in the media sector.

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.

Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu was re-elected as Speaker of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan

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

Bishkek, December 17 /Xinhua/ — Deputy Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu was re-elected as speaker of the Zhogorku Kenesh (parliament) of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday, the parliament's press service reported.

On Wednesday, deputies of the new 8th convocation of the Zhogorku Kenesh, at their first meeting after taking the oath, considered the issue of electing a speaker of parliament.

The newly created parliamentary groups "Ata-Zhurt," "Ala-Too," "Eldik," "Mekenchil," and "Adilet Kyrgyzstan" nominated deputy Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu for the position of speaker of parliament. His candidacy was supported by 84 deputies.

Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu was elected Speaker of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan on October 5, 2022.

On September 25, members of the Kyrgyz Parliament decided to dissolve themselves. Early elections for members of the Zhogorku Kenesh (the Supreme Council) were held on November 30. According to a statement published on the Central Election Commission's website on December 10, the Central Election Commission recognized the elections as valid in 30 multi-member constituencies. Based on the voting results, 87 candidates were elected to parliament in 29 constituencies. The election results in the 13th multi-member constituency were declared invalid due to violations of electoral law.

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 first cargo ship operating on the China-Europe Arctic Container Express Route has returned to Ningbo-Zhoushan Port.

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, December 17 (Xinhua) — The first cargo ship operating on the Arctic Container Express Route, which connects China with Europe, recently returned to the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, according to a statement posted Wednesday on the official website of the General Administration of Customs.

The return of the container ship, named Istanbul Bridge, marks the official opening of the "third channel" for trade between China and Europe and is seen as a key step in the construction of the main transport channel of the "Ice Silk Road".

On September 23, the container ship Istanbul Bridge departed from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port and headed for Europe via the Northeast Arctic Waterway. After a 20-day voyage, it arrived in Felixstowe, UK, then docked in Hamburg, Germany, and Gdansk, Poland, before finally completing all loading and unloading operations in the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The cargo ship subsequently embarked on its return voyage. After transiting the Suez Canal and a number of foreign ports, it successfully returned to the Chinese port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, allowing it to test the safety and stability of navigation for large container ships along the Northeast Arctic Waterway. -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.

RUDN University students presented the results of their research at a conference in Irkutsk

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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RUDN University students returned from an inspiring trip to Irkutsk, where they presented their research findings at the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference "Foreign Economic Activity: Modern Challenges and Opportunities" and admired the incredible beauty of Lake Baikal. Representatives from 32 universities across 21 regions of the country participated in the event, including six from our university.

Over the course of several days, the students saw, learned, and felt more than could be described in a story: science and discoveries, new ideas and connections, encounters with seals, the fresh breeze of travel, a real winter, and the silence of an ancient lake.

Export strategy

According to Snezhana Malysheva, a fourth-year student at the Institute of World Economy and Economic Security (major in World Economy), her visit to Baikal State University left her with only positive impressions.

"The conference was very interesting: we listened to presentations from practitioners working in the field of exporting products from the Irkutsk region. I also gained new knowledge and connections, gave two interviews, and shared with colleagues a study I'd been working on for a long time. The topic of my research paper was "Export Strategy of Russian Agro-Industrial Companies in the Context of Shifting to Asian Markets (using the example of EkoNiva-Produkty Pitania)." I examined the mechanism for developing an effective export strategy adapted to Asian markets. The research is relevant and meets the current needs for the sustainability of Russian agricultural exports. In my paper, I presented a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of our country's agricultural exports over the past decades, conducted from the perspective of dairy exports based on the commodity structure of exports, productivity indicators, and the concentration index of Russia's dairy export markets," says Snezhana Malysheva.

The student also added that the conference experts asked her helpful questions that will help her further develop the topic and present new articles to the scientific community. She also admitted that she was absolutely delighted with Lake Baikal and her walk through Irkutsk.

"We learned that Lake Baikal experiences up to 40,000 earthquakes per year—these facts about our country's natural features are astounding. Irkutsk also deserves special attention; the city is primarily known for the Decembrists, who were exiled here. A special thank you to my department for a wonderful pre-New Year's trip!" shared Snezhana Malysheva.

Nuclear energy market

The topic of the article presented by Konstantin Kosygin in Irkutsk is "Russia's Role in the Global Nuclear Energy Market: A Case Study of the Rooppur Project in Bangladesh." The third-year student, majoring in International Economic Relations and Foreign Economic Activity, analyzes the state of the global nuclear energy market in three areas: the trade in reactor fuel, the trade in reactor parts and components, and the construction of nuclear reactors abroad.

"I also examined the construction of the nuclear power plant in Bangladesh: its history, key stages, and the current status of the project. The main conclusion of my article is that Russia is the leader in the peaceful nuclear energy market and is of enormous importance to the entire world in this area," noted Konstantin Kosygin.

The student notes that when he learned about the trip, he didn’t doubt for a second whether to participate—he didn’t want to miss such an opportunity.

"Snow-white Irkutsk welcomed us very warmly, despite the freezing weather. The students and faculty of Baikal State University were delighted to see us and gave us a warm welcome. I was impressed by the organization, the friendliness of the students and faculty, and the city itself. I would be delighted to return to Irkutsk and BSU again!" Konstantin Kosygin shared his impressions.

Trade between Russia and Iran

Another conference participant, Maria Balakhnicheva, a third-year student majoring in International Economic Relations and Foreign Economic Activity, presented a paper on the impact of free trade agreements between the EAEU and Iran on trade between Russia and that country.

"The key conclusion of my article is that positive trends in the development of mutual trade between the countries are currently evident. Trade flows are rapidly increasing, creating a foundation for developing logistics, investment, and tourism ties. Free trade agreements between the EAEU and Iran play a key role in the development of Russian-Iranian relations," noted Maria Balakhnicheva.

Maria also noted that she remembered her visit to the BSU media center, where the students appeared on local television and radio with a story about their trip to Irkutsk and their studies at the country's "most international university."

"And, of course, I can't help but mention Lake Baikal—the endless expanse of its waters is astounding in its scale and beauty! I'm very grateful to the faculty for this opportunity!" added Maria Balakhnicheva.

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.

Financial news: Gazprom Neft places a pilot issue of over-the-counter bonds on the Finuslugi marketplace.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Gazprom Neft will list its over-the-counter bonds for the first time on Moscow Exchange's Finuslugi marketplace. This collaboration between two technology leaders in the oil and financial industries offers investors a simple and reliable investment tool in key Russian energy projects.

Gazprom Neft's bond offering will total 10 billion rubles. The bonds, sold through Finuslugi, are not listed on the stock exchange and are only available to individuals.

A floating coupon linked to the Bank of Russia's key rate (KS 0.5 percentage points) could potentially provide Gazprom Neft bonds with a high yield among issuers with a credit rating of AAA listed on Finuslugi at the time of placement.

The bonds have a fixed face value of 1,000 rubles. They can be purchased on the Finuslugi marketplace website or mobile app. No brokerage account is required: all transactions are conducted directly between the individual and the issuer. Simply register in your personal account or the Finuslugi mobile app using your Gosuslugi account.

Applications for the purchase of bonds will be accepted:

from 08:00 Moscow time on December 18 until 16:00 Moscow time on December 26, 2025, from 16:00 Moscow time on December 30, 2025 until full redemption.

The bonds have a maturity of 1,080 days (until December 2, 2028). Interest on the bonds accrues daily, and coupon payments are made monthly. Bonds will be redeemed at par value, taking into account the accrued coupon income (ACI). Investors will be able to submit bonds for redemption without waiting for the end of the circulation period: from February 3, 2026, to November 23, 2028. Applications will be processed within six business days, and coupon income will be calculated until the application is processed. Therefore, investors will not lose interest while their application is being processed.

Igor Alutin, Senior Managing Director for Retail Business and the Finuslugi Marketplace at Moscow Exchange:

"By expanding our range of OTC bonds, we strive to provide clients with not just reliable and profitable instruments, but also create opportunities for investment in the country's largest companies and most important projects. Therefore, we are particularly proud to welcome Gazprom Neft, a key player in the Russian oil and gas industry, to our list of issuers. We are confident that our collaboration will give new impetus to the development of investment instruments that will help them take a conscious step toward a sustainable future and financial freedom."

Bonds are available for purchase to tax residents of the Russian Federation who have reached the age of majority.

Finuslugi is a money marketplace created by the Moscow Exchange. On Finuslugi, you can open bank deposits, take out cash loans, purchase mutual fund shares, public bonds from companies and Russian regions, as well as compulsory motor insurance (OSAGO), comprehensive motor insurance (CASCO), mortgage insurance, property insurance, and other products. You can top up your Finuslugi account commission-free using the Faster Payment System (FPS) 24/7. The service can be used regardless of region, anywhere in Russia and worldwide. Learn more on the website. http://finuslugi.ru.

Gazprom Neft operates in Russia's largest oil and gas regions and a number of industrial areas. It also implements production projects outside of Russia. Ensuring one of the best production-to-refining ratios in the Russian industry, Gazprom Neft is implementing a large-scale program to develop its own refineries. Gazprom Neft's network of filling stations comprises approximately 2,400 stations in Russia and abroad. The company supplies aircraft, marine, and river transport, produces high-tech lubricants for industrial and automotive equipment, and bitumen for high-quality road construction. It is also developing alternative energy projects.

Contact information for media: 7 (495) 363-3232PR@moex.com

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.

Tatyana Golikova led the Russian delegation at the opening of the Future Games in the UAE.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

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The opening ceremony of the Future Games took place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova led the Russian delegation to the international multi-sport tournament.

The competition will take place from December 18th to 23rd in 11 innovative disciplines, including phygital football, phygital basketball, phygital martial arts, phygital shooters, phygital dancing, drone racing, and robot battle. Russia is represented by 77 participants from 13 teams. Among the Russian participants are teams that hold leading positions in the World Phygital Community international rankings and winners and runners-up of phygital games. These include RFSO Lokomotiv in phygital football, BC Moskovsky and Liga Pro Team in phygital basketball, and Donstu Esports in phygital shooter. Tatyana Golikova wished the participants victory in the competition.

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 International Transport Forum is introducing a digital ECMT permit system, replacing paper permits and logbooks with electronic versions.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: KMZ Cargo – KMZ CARGO –

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From 1 January 2026, the International Transport Forum will introduce the ECMT digital permit system, replacing paper permits and logbooks with electronic ones.

Access to the system is provided through a web portal and a mobile application with a Russian-language interface.

Requirements for obtaining a permit:

– it must be on board the cargo vehicle (TV) in digital form (on the driver’s mobile device) or as a printout;– it must be present between the loading points (after loading) and unloading points (after unloading) – for both loaded and empty trips associated with them.

Operating procedure:

– information about trips is entered into the system by the manager or driver; – the driver is required to present digital logbook data for the last 10 trips to regulatory authorities (on the device screen or in printed form).

According to the 2026 ECMT Multilateral Quota User Guide, in the case of a journey, the ECMT permit must be carried on board the vehicle between the loading point (once the vehicle is loaded) and the unloading point (when the vehicle is unloaded) for a laden journey or an empty journey that precedes or follows a laden journey.

In the ECMT digital permit system, control bodies display information on control results electronically.

Transport and logistics

Publication date: 12/17/2025

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Musical life: For Sviridov's anniversary, Melodiya is releasing a digital album of his vocal music.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

To mark the 110th anniversary of Georgy Sviridov's birth, Melodiya presents an album of his vocal music – songs and romances performed by Alexander Vedernikov and the author.

Vocal compositions are one of the largest sections of Sviridov's oeuvre. He devoted a special place to short, chamber, intimate songs that reflect the state of the ordinary person.

The album consists of works from various years, including extensive vocal series: "Songs to the Poems of Robert Burns," the vocal poem "Glory of the Fathers," songs to the poems of Avetik Isaakyan, and romances to the poems of Alexander Pushkin. Songs written outside the cycles are drawn to them like companions.

The renowned bass Alexander Vedernikov, a master of subtle acting and nuances of intonation and sound, was the first performer of many of the composer's song cycles. His recordings reveal how Georgy Sviridov worked with poetry, how important the poetic word was to him, and how at times the music deceptively faded into the background to emphasize a line or a thought. The album presents a gallery of unnamed heroes from the people, to whom the composer, along with his chosen poets, gave a voice and the right to be heard.

For the composer's anniversary, the Melodiya company prepared a releasesecond vocal albummusic dedicated to choral works. The digital album will be available on December 19.

December 16, 2025

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Marat Khusnullin: A new building for a specialized medical center has been commissioned in Moscow.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

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A new treatment and diagnostic building for the Russian Ministry of Health's Center for Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology has been opened in Moscow. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin announced the opening.

"Modern medical facilities equipped with the latest equipment and technology significantly improve the effectiveness of diagnostics and treatment for our patients. The new specialized treatment and diagnostic building is designed to provide medical care to adult patients with lymphomas and skin tumors, as well as children suffering from severe dermatosis. The facility significantly expands our capabilities for specialized and high-tech medical care and directly contributes to maintaining people's health. The facility was implemented by the Single Customer Development and Control Center (DCC), and the commissioning permit has already been received. We anticipate its opening in 2026," said Marat Khusnullin.

The construction of the facility was carried out within the framework of the register of capital construction projects, which is part of the comprehensive state program "Construction", supervised by the Ministry of Construction of Russia.

"The total area of the facility is over 5,400 square meters. It includes emergency rooms for adults and children, a radiology department, and a 24-hour inpatient unit with 40 beds. The building houses two operating rooms, a central sterilization unit, and a six-bed intensive care unit. A heated underground passage has been built to conveniently transport patients from the new building to the existing physiotherapy unit," noted Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities Yuri Gordeyev.

Construction of the building was completed in June 2025. Its surrounding area has been fully landscaped, with lighting installed, recreation areas equipped, and a lawn laid.

"Reconstruction and restoration of the Almshouse building of the Coronation Asylum and the I.D. Baev Almshouse are also underway at the Dermatology, Venereology, and Cosmetology Center. Professional restorers will restore the historical appearance of the building facades, architectural stucco decoration, plaster moldings, and brickwork. The premises will also undergo a major overhaul and renovation. Once all work is completed, the buildings will house a 24-hour dermatology and venereology inpatient department and a consultative and diagnostic department," said Karen Oganesyan, General Director of the Unified Customer Production and Consulting Company.

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.