Breaking: At least 8 people were injured after a four-story church collapsed in Durban, South Africa – media reports

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

JOHANNESBURG, December 12 (Xinhua) — A four-story church collapsed in Durban, South Africa, on Friday, trapping several people under the rubble, local media reported.

The exact number of victims remains unknown, but rescue services said they have treated at least eight people and are continuing to search for others.

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 process of discussing US proposals for a Ukrainian settlement will be lengthy, according to a Russian presidential aide.

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

Ashgabat, December 12 (Xinhua) — The process of discussing US proposals for a settlement in Ukraine will be lengthy, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters on Friday.

"After all these working negotiations [with the US] with Ukraine, they should show us the documents. Active brainstorming is underway. We haven't seen any revised versions of the American projects," TASS quoted him as saying.

Yury Ushakov suggested that many of the changes introduced may not please Russia. He stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's goal is to introduce proposals into the documents that are unacceptable to Russia. "It's unlikely that these comments will be positive," the Russian leader's aide emphasized.

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 health of the Chinese population continues to improve steadily, according to the Chinese Consul General in Khabarovsk.

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

Vladivostok, December 12 (Xinhua) — Thanks to tireless efforts, the health of China's population continues to steadily improve, with life expectancy reaching 79 years in 2024. This was stated recently by Chinese Consul General in Khabarovsk Jiang Xiaoyang in a written interview published in the Khabarovsk newspaper "Medical Newspaper."

As the Consul General noted, since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, has consistently prioritized the people's health, comprehensively strengthened the Party's leadership in healthcare, made a number of important strategic decisions, and contributed to a historic leap in the development of China's healthcare system, achieving comprehensive and innovative successes.

First, Jiang Xiaoyang pointed out, China has created the world's largest healthcare system. As of the end of 2024, the country had 1.09 million healthcare facilities and 15.78 million healthcare workers, making healthcare accessible to residents within 15 minutes.

Secondly, the public health and epidemiological protection network has become more robust. The country is implementing the national "Healthy China" strategy, and the state provides preventive vaccinations for 15 diseases. Premature mortality from major chronic diseases has decreased by 10.6 percent, and the incidence of tuberculosis, hepatitis B, AIDS, and other infectious diseases continues to decline or remains low. Furthermore, the country has withstood the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the diplomat added, unlike anything seen in a century.

Third, the reform of the medical, pharmaceutical, and healthcare systems continues to deepen. Regional reforms, based on local conditions, are underway in areas such as personnel training, service prices, wages, budget subsidies, and comprehensive oversight. Jiang Xiaoyang noted that 70 cities are receiving government funding to promote high-quality development and pilot reforms of public hospitals.

Fourth, he continued, positive progress has been made in the revival and development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). "We adhere to the principle of equal attention to TCM and Western medicine, are implementing a major project to revive and develop TCM, and are advancing the construction of a TCM service system, which plays a unique role in disease prevention and treatment," the Consul General noted.

Fifth, measures to stimulate the birth rate are being consistently implemented, including extending maternity leave, strengthening pregnancy support services, applying special tax deductions, and gradually introducing free preschool education.

Jiang Xiaoyang recalled that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee reviewed and adopted the CPC Central Committee's proposals for drafting the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. Based on the goal of achieving comprehensive human development and taking confident steps toward the common enrichment of the people, the proposals set forth clear requirements and adopted important measures to accelerate the construction of a "Healthy China" and "promote high-quality human development."

According to him, accelerating the construction of a “Healthy China” focuses on three main aspects:

Firstly, it is necessary to implement the strategy of priority development of health, which involves improving the system of policies and institutions in the field of health promotion, increasing the effectiveness of the “patriotic campaign for hygiene and sanitation”, continuously increasing life expectancy and improving the health level of the people.

Secondly, it is necessary to combine development and security to provide strong guarantees and support for socioeconomic development. In this regard, it is necessary to strengthen public health capacity, combat major infectious diseases, organize comprehensive preventive and therapeutic care for chronic diseases, comprehensively improve the effectiveness of emergency medical care, and strengthen mental health services, the Consul General added.

Third, he continued, it is necessary to provide the population with fair, accessible, systematic, sustainable, high-quality, and effective healthcare services. It is essential to promote coordinated development and management in the fields of medicine, health insurance, and pharmaceuticals to make healthcare more convenient and effective for the population.

The diplomat noted that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China's population aging will continue to deepen, leading to a growing need for medical care for individuals with loss of independence and cognitive impairment, as well as hospice care for patients with terminal illnesses. In this regard, China plans to strengthen scientific and technological innovation in addressing major healthcare challenges, comprehensively expand the provision of services such as rehabilitation, nursing, and hospice care in urban and rural areas, launch a campaign to improve the health of the elderly, enhance the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of age-related diseases, and implement a long-term care insurance system. Authorities will also expand the provision of outpatient medical services and home care services for people with disabilities and the elderly, and develop family physician services to provide better care for the elderly and people with disabilities, reflecting the warmth of public services and the progress of social civilization, Jiang Xiaoyang added.

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.

Russia is unaware of the changes the US and Ukraine have made to the peace plan, according to the Russian presidential press secretary.

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

Ashgabat, December 12 (Xinhua) — The Russian side is unaware of any changes to the American peace plan. During contacts between the US and Ukraine, some changes to the peace plan are being made, but the Kremlin has not received any notifications from Washington about them, according to Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov.

"There haven't been any updates. They're currently talking to the Ukrainians. Something is changing, some changes are being made, but we don't know what they are," D. Peskov told reporters, answering a question about whether any updates had been received from the United States regarding the Ukrainian settlement.

According to D. Peskov, the Kremlin has no information about whether a meeting between US President Donald Trump and representatives of Ukraine and the European Union will take place on December 13 in Paris. –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 first apatite-nepheline ore was mined at the new Rasvumchorr Plateau mine of the Apatit Mining and Processing Plant on December 12, 2025.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

Kirovsk (Murmansk Region). December 12, 2025. The first apatite-nepheline ore was mined at the new Rasvumchorr Plateau underground mine of JSC Apatit's Kirovsk branch (PhosAgro Group). The first stage of commissioning at the new Rasvumchorr Plateau underground mine was completed at the Kirovsk branch of JSC Apatit. The first apatite-nepheline ore was mined there in early December.

The decision to build a new mine was made in 2016. Its purpose is to develop underground reserves from the Central Mine, where Apatit miners have extracted over 720 million tons of apatite-nepheline ore in harsh climatic conditions using open-pit mining since 1964.

The full range of design and survey work for the construction of the Rasvumchorr Plateau mine was carried out by the Ya.V. Samoilov Research Institute for Fertilizers and Insectofungicides (PhosAgro Group), the only research institute in Russia specializing in research into phosphate processing technologies and the production of phosphoric and sulfuric acids, phosphorus- and nitrogen-containing mineral fertilizers, and the design of chemical, mining, and beneficiation facilities.

Mining operations commenced in 2018. To date, capital mining operations have been completed to construct opening, transport, and ventilation workings at the 430-meter level, covering a total length of approximately 20 km and a volume of excavation exceeding 450,000 cubic meters. The level is fully equipped with utilities, including communication lines, positioning systems, fire-fighting and sprinkler pipelines, high-voltage and low-voltage power lines, and lighting.

"The Rasvumchorr Plateau mine is scheduled to produce 150,000 tons of ore this year. Next year, we'll increase this figure by more than 2.5 times, planning to extract 390,000 tons of ore. The new mine will reach its design capacity of 6 million tons in 2034," says Viktor Melnik, Director of the Mining Department at the Kirov branch of Apatit JSC.

Development work at the Rasvumchorr Plateau mine is currently ongoing. Specifically, shaft development is underway to open the 310-meter horizon. Further work is planned to construct crushing and haulage complex No. 6, with its commissioning scheduled for 2029. Locomotive haulage is scheduled to begin in 2031, and mining of the 310-meter horizon is expected to begin.

PhosAgro's total investment in the mine's construction and equipment will exceed 38 billion rubles.

"Developing the ore and raw material base of the Apatit Mining and Processing Plant is a key focus of PhosAgro's investment policy. We annually utilize up to a third of the company's investment budget, and the results of this work are annually reflected in our production results. This year, we have already set records for daily and monthly shipments of finished products, and by the end of the year, we plan to produce the largest volume of apatite concentrate since the post-Soviet era," emphasized Andrey Abrashitov, Director of the Kirov branch of Apatit JSC.

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.

On December 12, 2025, Gazprom-Media Holding's films will be shown at the Russian Film Festival in Belarus.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

The event will open with the film "Blood Type," a war drama about the history of the children's blood donor concentration camp in Vyritsa. The film was produced as part of the federal project "Without Statute of Limitations" by the film company Triix Media with the support of Gazprom-Media Holding, the Cinema Fund, the Russian Military Historical Society, and the Movement of the First.

The festival is organized by ROSKINO with the support of the Russian Ministry of Culture. It will be held in Minsk from December 12 to 14.

The program also included the following films:

"The Prophet: The Story of Alexander Pushkin" is a musical biopic about a young and talented poet, his successes, trials, and meeting the woman who changed his destiny. "First on Olympus" is a drama about Olympic champion Yuri Tyukalov. "Love of the Soviet Union" is a retro drama about 1930s Soviet actress Galina Kovrova.

The films will be presented by the leading actors—Ekaterina Domashchenko, Kirill Kuznetsov, and Mark-Malik Murashkin. All screenings are free with advance registration.

Gazprom-Media Holding places particular emphasis on international cooperation in cinema, regularly presenting projects at key international festivals.

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.

Indonesia hosts Hongting Forum to promote China-ASEAN 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

Jakarta, December 12 (Xinhua) — The Red Hall Forum, themed "Advancing New Frontiers of China-ASEAN Cooperation," was held here on Thursday. Forum participants discussed in detail strengthening cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The event, co-organized by the Xinhua Asia-Pacific Bureau, the Chinese Mission to ASEAN, Xinhua Institute, and the Xinhua News Agency Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Office, brought together nearly 100 representatives from government, academia, business, and media from China and ASEAN member countries.

In a video address, Fu Hua, Director-General of Xinhua News Agency, noted that China's initiatives, such as the development of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, serve as an important guideline for the sustainable and long-term development of cooperation between China and ASEAN. He emphasized that Xinhua News Agency has always been a witness to and participant in this cooperation.

Fu Hua noted that Xinhua News Agency will continue to make unremitting efforts to unveil the visions and guiding ideas put forward by the leaders of China and ASEAN member states, tell vivid stories of China-ASEAN cooperation in various fields, conduct in-depth research on prospective and strategic issues related to regional development, and organize more exchange activities between media and think tanks from China and ASEAN member states.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Horn stated in a video message that China and ASEAN enjoy one of the most meaningful and dynamic partnerships in the region. China remains ASEAN's largest trading partner, and bilateral economic connectivity continues to deepen. He noted that the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Protocol Upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area to Version 3.0 opened a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.

At the forum, Xinhua Institute officially released the Indonesian version of the analytical report “RCEP and the Vision of the Maritime Silk Road: A New Space for China-ASEAN Cooperation.”

The forum also featured a China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Salon, which brought together representatives from more than 10 media outlets and research institutions.

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.

Five crew members of a merchant ship fell into the sea off the South Korean island of Jeju.

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

SEOUL, December 12 (Xinhua) — Five crew members of a merchant ship fell into the sea off the resort island of Jeju in southern South Korea, the country's coast guard reported on Friday.

At around 4:47 p.m. local time, the coast guard received a report that five sailors had fallen from an 8,580-ton Sierra Leone-flagged merchant vessel with 15 crew members on board in waters approximately 33 kilometers southwest of Seogwipo Port.

The Coast Guard sent five patrol ships, two coastal rescue boats and a helicopter to the scene.

A navy vessel was dispatched to the scene to support the rescue operation.

The cause of the incident is under investigation. –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 President of Kazakhstan proposed creating an international water organization within the UN

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

Ashgabat, December 12 (Xinhua) — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed establishing an international water organization within the UN on Friday during his speech at a forum dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality in Ashgabat.

K.-Zh. Tokayev believes that developing global water diplomacy requires close intergovernmental coordination. He noted that the UN system lacks a specialized structure focused exclusively on water issues. The optimal solution would be to transform the interagency mechanism UN-Water into a fully-fledged specialized UN agency or organization.

According to him, a regional environmental summit will be held in Astana next April, at which Kazakhstan intends to launch an international consultation process to create a global water organization.

K.-Zh. Tokayev also expressed confidence that the forum in Ashgabat will contribute to strengthening the creative partnership between interested states and will give a strong impetus to international efforts to build a just world order based on mutual trust.

On Friday, the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat, hosted an international forum to mark the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, International Neutrality Day, and the declaration of 2025 as the "International Year of Peace and Trust."

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.

An international forum is being held in Ashgabat to mark the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality.

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

Ashgabat, December 12 (Xinhua) — An international forum is being held in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat on Friday to mark the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, International Neutrality Day, and the declaration of 2025 as the "International Year of Peace and Trust," the country's International Information Center reported.

The event is attended by high-level delegations from various countries, international and regional organizations.

Addressing guests, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the policy of neutrality has become a reliable foundation for the country's sustainable development.

According to him, it is precisely this status of neutrality that allows Turkmenistan to maintain high rates of economic growth, improve the well-being of its population, and act as an attractive, responsible, and predictable partner on the international stage.

S. Berdimuhamedov noted that Turkmenistan serves as a convincing example of a state that, guided by the principles of friendship, trust, and mutual benefit, is developing fruitful cooperation with all countries of the world. –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.