Category: Russian Language

Posted on

Global food prices continue to decline

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

February 6, 2026 Economic development

The Global Food Price Index fell in January. The indicator has been declining for five consecutive months, according to data released Friday by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The decline was primarily due to lower prices for dairy products, sugar, and meat.

The average value is 0.4 percent lower than December's level and 0.6 percent lower than the same period a year ago. However, the dynamics across individual categories were mixed.

Grain prices

The FAO Grain Index rose by 0.2 percent, despite a slight decline in global wheat and maize prices. Ample wheat stocks offset weather risks for winter crops in Russia and the United States, while maize stocks offset the impact of unfavorable weather in Argentina and Brazil and increased ethanol demand in the United States. The rice price index increased by 1.8 percent.

Vegetable oil prices

The vegetable oil price index rose 2.1 percent. Global palm oil prices rose due to a seasonal decline in production in Southeast Asia and robust import demand, while soybean oil prices rose due to reduced export supplies from South America and expectations of strong demand for biofuels in the United States.

Sunflower oil prices also increased due to limited supply in the Black Sea region. Meanwhile, rapeseed oil prices fell due to significant imports into the European Union.

The cost of meat

The meat price index decreased by 0.4 percent. The decline was driven by low pork prices, driven by abundant global supply and weak demand. Poultry prices, on the other hand, increased, primarily due to higher prices in Brazil, where export demand remains strong.

Beef and lamb prices remained stable, with increased shipments from Brazil to China offsetting the rapid filling of the duty-free quota from the US.

Prices for dairy products

The dairy price index fell by five percent. Cheese and butter saw the biggest price declines, thanks to ample supply. Meanwhile, skim milk powder prices rose amid renewed demand from the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia.

The cost of sugar

Sugar prices fell by one percent. The FAO attributes this to expectations of increased global supply this season, thanks to a recovery in production in India, favorable forecasts for Thailand, and positive trends in Brazil.

Grain production forecast

At the same time, the FAO published an updated forecast for global cereal production. The total volume is expected to reach 3.023 billion tonnes, a record high.

The upward revision of the forecast is due to larger-than-expected wheat harvests in Argentina, Canada, and the EU, as well as expanded corn plantings and higher yields in China and the US. Rice production is also expected to increase, primarily in India, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, and Indonesia.

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.

Posted on

IAEA: Intensified attacks on Ukraine's power grid increase risks to nuclear facilities

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

February 6, 2026 Peace and security

Last weekend, Ukraine's power grid was attacked again, leading to serious consequences for the operation of nuclear power plants, according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi.

According to him, power lines connecting Ukraine with neighboring countries were shut down, causing a cascading outage of domestic power lines. As a result, one of the power units at one nuclear power plant was disconnected from the grid due to voltage fluctuations and automatically shut down. Power units at other nuclear power plants were forced to reduce their output.

The Chernobyl site experienced a complete loss of external power supply, and the facility operated on emergency diesel generators for approximately one hour.

Grossi stressed that such incidents are "a stark reminder of the ongoing risks to nuclear safety… arising from the deteriorating state of the electrical grid."

"To improve the reliability of power supply to Ukrainian nuclear power plants and strengthen their resilience to future disruptions, large-scale repairs are necessary," the IAEA chief added.

He again called for maximum restraint and full compliance seven principles of nuclear safetyto ensure that these works can be carried out.

IAEA missions to critical sites

Amid intensifying fighting, three IAEA expert teams are visiting ten substations critical to nuclear safety. The goal of the two-week mission is to assess the damage to the power grid and the progress of restoration efforts, as well as identify practical measures to improve the resilience of external power supplies.

One of the groups also visited Kyiv, where further IAEA support for the operation of nuclear power plants in the context of declining energy system stability was discussed.

This is the second such mission in the last two months: the previous one, in December 2025, recorded the cumulative impact of damage to the power grid on the operation of nuclear power plants and the working conditions of personnel.

Other incidents

The IAEA also reports additional signs of reduced power grid stability at the Chernobyl site, documented in late January. The agency's team was informed that on Friday, January 23, diesel generators at the New Containment Facility and the Interim Dry Storage Facility for Spent Nuclear Fuel unexpectedly started due to fluctuations in the power grid. Within minutes, the generators were manually switched to standby mode.

"This once again highlights the impact that military action involving the power grid can have on security systems," Grossi said.

Earlier last week, 44 unmanned aerial vehicles were spotted in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant's monitoring zone. On Tuesday, the IAEA team at the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant was forced to take refuge in a hotel after spotting two drones in the plant's monitoring zone. Six more drones were spotted there during the week.

Over the past two weeks, the rotation of IAEA staff at the Khmelnytskyi and South Ukraine NPPs has proceeded safely, Grossi reported.

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.

Posted on

The head of the European Commission announced the 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

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

Brussels, February 6 (Xinhua) — The European Commission (EC) has proposed a 20th sanctions package against Russia, targeting key sectors, including energy, financial services, and trade. EC President Ursula von der Leyen announced this on Friday.

According to the EC statement, the new measures are intended to increase pressure on Russia following the second round of trilateral talks on Ukraine, held in Abu Dhabi from February 4 to 5 between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine. The talks failed to yield any significant progress on key issues, with the exception of a large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.

According to the statement, the European Union plans to impose a complete ban on maritime shipments of Russian oil in the energy sector, which is expected to further reduce Russia's energy revenues. The restrictions will be implemented in coordination with G7 partners.

The EU also intends to add 43 vessels linked to Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" to the sanctions list, bringing the total number to 640.

In addition, Russia's ability to acquire new tankers for its "shadow fleet" will be limited, and a ban on maintenance and other services for LNG tankers and icebreakers will be introduced, which will further undermine Russia's natural gas export projects, the statement 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.

Posted on

The Chinese Foreign Ministry commented on the phrase "becoming Chinese" that has become popular online.

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, February 6 (Xinhua) — China is pleased to see that more and more foreign friends are willing and able to experience development and change in China and the daily lives of ordinary Chinese people, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday.

Lin Jian made the announcement at a regular press briefing, commenting on the internet buzzword "becoming Chinese." Videos depicting the Chinese lifestyle have recently gained popularity on various social media platforms worldwide. Media outlets also noted that during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent visit to China last month, some foreign journalists noted that China is a livable country, and that it is safe and convenient to live there.

According to the Chinese diplomat, in fact, in the eyes of many foreign friends, the perception and knowledge of China has long gone beyond such traditional symbols as the Great Wall, pandas, and Chinese cuisine.

In China, Lin Jian continued, foreign friends can not only enjoy the ultimate convenience of traveling with just a mobile phone, but also experience the profound ritualism of the Chinese way of life; they are amazed by state-of-the-art infrastructure, such as high-speed trains and 5G, and can stroll and explore unique "treasure cities"; they can try out trendy and exciting cutting-edge technologies, and experience the leisurely and subtle intangible cultural heritage.

The blend of history and modernity, tradition and fashion creates unique new experiences, which continually enhances China's appeal as a global tourist destination and increases its popularity among residents of various countries, the diplomat stated.

According to him, statistics show that in 2025, the number of entries and exits of foreign citizens in China will exceed 82 million, which is 26.4 percent more than the previous year, while the number of visa-free entries increased by almost 50 percent year-on-year.

Recalling that the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year, or Chunjie, the traditional Chinese New Year according to the lunar calendar) is an iconic symbol of Chinese culture, Lin Jian said that with the approach of the Year of the Horse, the number of air ticket bookings by foreign tourists to China for the Spring Festival has increased by more than 400 percent over the past two weeks compared to the same period last year.

“We warmly welcome foreign friends to come to China for the Spring Festival to experience hospitality and friendliness, and to feel the warmth and festive atmosphere,” the official concluded.

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.

Posted on

Iran rejected the demand for "zero uranium enrichment" during talks with the US in Muscat – Iranian news agency Mehr

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

Muscat, February 6 (Xinhua) — Iran rejected the demand for "zero uranium enrichment" during indirect talks with the United States held in Muscat, the Omani capital, the Iranian news agency Mehr reported on Friday.

According to the news agency, the parties focused on the issue of “diluting” (reducing the enrichment level) of existing Iranian uranium reserves.

It is indicated that the atmosphere of the negotiations was “more serious” than in previous rounds of dialogue between the parties.

Meanwhile, Iran's state-run IRIB TV reported on Friday that the Muscat talks had been concluded "for now" and both delegations could return to their countries.

Earlier in the day, the channel reported that the two sides had exchanged several messages through Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud al-Busaidi, and that talks could continue in the coming days.

A new round of indirect talks began earlier on Friday. The Iranian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and the American delegation was led by US Special Presidential Envoy Steven Witkoff.

The talks took place against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, particularly between Washington and Tehran, including the recent buildup of the United States' military presence in the Middle East and Iran's increased preparations for a potential escalation.

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.

Posted on

A member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee visited famous cultural figures and scientific and technical experts ahead of the Spring Festival.

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, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) — Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, on Friday extended congratulations to all cultural, scientific and technical workers across the country on the upcoming Spring Festival (Chinese Lunar New Year) on behalf of Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and the entire CPC Central Committee.

Cai Qi visited several famous figures in these sectors and expressed his congratulations to them.

During the meetings, Cai Qi highly appreciated the contributions made by the relevant employees and listened to the advice of the interlocutors in their areas of work.

He called on all cultural, scientific and technical workers to actively shoulder the responsibilities entrusted by the times, display an innovative spirit, work hard and make new and greater contributions to advancing the development of the cause of the Party and the state.

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.

Posted on

China steps up efforts to boost services consumption, says Ministry of Commerce

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, February 6 (Xinhua) — China will implement a series of measures to promote the development of services consumption, the Ministry of Commerce announced at a press conference on Friday.

Last week, the General Office of the State Council of China released a work plan outlining measures to optimize and expand service supply, cultivate new growth points for service consumption, and promote improved service quality for the benefit of the public.

As Kong Dejun, head of the Ministry of Commerce's Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services, noted, the plan was adopted against the backdrop of the increasingly important role of service consumption as a key driver of high-quality economic development.

From 2020 to 2025, China's per capita service expenditure grew at an average annual rate of 8.5 percent, demonstrating strong growth momentum. The share of service expenditure in total per capita consumer expenditure increased by 3.5 percentage points, reaching 46.1 percent in 2025.

At the same press conference, Vice Minister of Commerce Yan Dong emphasized China's ongoing efforts to attract and expand inbound consumption, noting that the expansion of the list of countries whose citizens are granted visa-free entry to China and the optimization of exit tax refunds have further boosted foreign tourists' enthusiasm for traveling and shopping in China.

The Ministry of Commerce will develop measures to promote the export of tourism services and expand inbound consumption, while simultaneously promoting pilot programs to create an internationalized consumer environment, Yan Dong said.

He added that efforts will also be made to increase the number of duty-free shops, further optimize tax refund services, and improve convenience for overseas visitors to attract more foreign tourists.

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.

Posted on

The State Council of the People's Republic of China reviewed the draft government work report and the 15th Five-Year Plan.

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, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) — The State Council held a plenary session on Friday to discuss the draft government work report and the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for China's economic and social development.

These two documents will be submitted to the 4th session of the 14th National People's Congress in March.

The plenary session was chaired by State Council Premier Li Qiang. He emphasized the need to fully implement the requirements for high-quality development, respond to public concerns in practice, and further refine the two aforementioned documents.

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.

Posted on

Kazakhstan to increase vegetable oil exports in 2025

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

Almaty, February 6 (Xinhua) — Kazakhstan's vegetable oil exports increased by 34.6 percent in the first 11 months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, the country's Ministry of Agriculture press service reported on Friday.

The main buyers are Uzbekistan, China, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

By the end of 2025, 888.8 thousand tons of vegetable oil were produced, which is 17.4 percent more than the 2024 level of 757.1 thousand tons.

In particular, the volume of sunflower oil production amounted to 757.2 thousand tons, which is 17.5% more than the 2024 figure.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, the country ranks 8th in the world's top 10 exporters of sunflower oil and is among the top 3 exporters of sunflower meal to the European Union. –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.

Posted on

Negotiations with the US were a "good start," and the parties reached an understanding on how to continue the dialogue, according to the Iranian Foreign Minister.

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

Muscat, February 6 (Xinhua) — Indirect talks between Iran and the United States in Oman's capital, Muscat, were a "good start," and the parties agreed to continue negotiations in the future, Iran's Fars news agency reported on Friday, citing Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Noting that the talks were held in a “positive atmosphere,” A. Araghchi, who led the Iranian delegation, announced that the parties would first hold consultations in their capitals and then determine the format and timing of the next round of negotiations.

According to Fars, the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that the talks held on Friday concerned only the nuclear issue, and Iran did not discuss “any other issues” with the US.

“Today we made it clear that a necessary condition for any dialogue is the rejection of threats and pressure,” said A. Araghchi.

The talks took place against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, particularly between Iran and the United States, including a recent US military buildup in the Middle East and increased Iranian preparations for a potential escalation.

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.