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February 4, 2026

On February 4, 2026, the heroes of the tenth season of the eco-volunteer marathon "Poneslos" (Here We Go) were awarded in Moscow. The Zapovednoye Posledstvo Foundation is a long-standing expert partner of the marathon.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The capital celebrated the 10th anniversary season of one of the country's largest corporate volunteer marathons, the "Poneslos" eco-marathon. The most active volunteer teams received awards from Norilsk Nickel. Projects that benefit nature and society were recognized not only with certificates but also with certificates to support future good deeds. The marathon's long-standing expert partner, the "Zapovednoye Poslostvo" Foundation, actively participated in the event.

The volunteer season, as in all previous years, lasted several months and included several stages, from project development and training to eco-volunteer shifts and the implementation of good deeds. The results of the tenth anniversary season were summed up in style: with a business game, cake, and big plans for the future. Experts from the Nature Embassy Foundation organized a "Nature Reshearium" for the participating teams—a brainstorming session to address real-life challenges facing protected areas. The participants enthusiastically proposed solutions to cases from Krasnoyarsk Stolby National Park and the Daurian Nature Reserve.

Over the past ten years, the marathon has grown from a local initiative into a large-scale program, uniting 173 teams and over 1,500 people across Russia in 2025—from Norilsk and the Murmansk region to Moscow and Transbaikal. While the first season focused on litter cleanup, today "Poneslos" encompasses six major areas: from scientific volunteering and assistance to protected areas to environmental education and animal rights.

The scientific focus—assisting nature reserve scientists—was a fascinating new feature last season. For example, at the Daursky Nature Reserve, volunteers helped scientists count birds, collected feathers for mercury analysis, and even made a scientific discovery, discovering that long-legged buzzards, due to a rodent shortage, have switched to feeding on… insects! And Moscow teams brilliantly demonstrated how to combine environmental and social assistance. For example, one team took over the "Husky Help" dog shelter. The volunteers not only walked the huskies but also organized a special outing for the dogs and children from the orphanage, giving both the children and the animals a joyful experience. Another team, while planting plants at a nursing home, realized that seniors need more than just greenery in their yard. They gave them a relevant lecture on digital security, protecting grandparents from online scammers. There are teams that have been supporting the Tsar's Apiary eco-center in Izmailovo Park, museum-reserves near Moscow, and other sites for several years now.

These projects are just part of a larger effort. This season, volunteers across the country built eco-trails, improved street spaces in their communities, supported animal shelters, created eco-art installations, and held hundreds of educational events.

The evening concluded, as is traditional, with a shared celebratory cake. But for the "Ponesils" volunteers, this isn't the end, but merely a pause before new achievements. After all, as the participants themselves say, they're already a big family, growing stronger with each passing year and ready to make the world a better place.

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.

February 4, 2026

Without heat and light: UNICEF warns of worsening situation for Ukrainian families

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

February 4, 2026 Humanitarian aid

Ukraine is experiencing its "hardest winter" since the start of the full-scale war. Temperatures are dropping below minus 20 degrees Celsius, and attacks on energy infrastructure are leaving hundreds of thousands of people without heat and electricity. Kenan Madi, head of field operations for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in the country, told the UN News Service.

According to him, attacks on energy facilities have become more frequent since late December, leading to serious damage to heating and power grids. As a result, essential services are being disrupted in major cities.

"I've been here for over three and a half years and I can say from personal experience: this is the hardest winter Ukraine has ever seen," Madi said.

Children in the cold and isolation

The crisis is having a particularly severe impact on children, UNICEF emphasizes. In Ukrainian cities, most people live in multi-story buildings designed for centralized heating. Without it, finding alternative heating sources is extremely difficult.

"Every aspect of a child's life is complicated right now," Madi said, citing the example of children with disabilities. He described a rehabilitation center he recently visited. Many children can't get there because the elevators are out of order due to power outages.

Health and mental health risks

UNICEF is concerned not only about the physical condition of children, but also about their mental health.

"It's difficult to single out any one risk today. Children are at risk in all areas: massive learning losses, cold-related illnesses, severe mental health impacts, and living in constant fear and darkness," said a UNICEF representative.

Of particular concern is the situation of children with severe illnesses who require specialized electrical equipment to sustain life. "We receive many requests to help such families with alternative energy sources," Madi noted.

Support UNICEF

UNICEF is expanding its winter assistance program. The organization provides cash assistance to the most vulnerable families with children, which has already reached over 200,000 people.

In addition, the United Nations Children's Fund is developing protection and psychosocial support programs. Schools are receiving grants to purchase heating equipment.

The organization also supports public utilities– supplies powerful generators, repair equipment, and materials to restore water and heating systems. Together with emergency services, UNICEF is helping to set up warming stations—places where people can stay warm, charge their devices, and receive psychological support.

Madi recounted a meeting with an elderly woman who brought her granddaughter, Ira, to such a center. The girl was there for a psychologist's consultation. Their building had no electricity, the elevator wasn't working, and the apartment was cold and dark. The elderly woman had to walk down the stairs, holding her granddaughter. It was clearly difficult for her to move, Madi noted. But the grandmother wanted Ira to see the light, warm up a bit, and have someone talk to her. When asked how she would get back up the stairs, the woman replied, "Yes, it's very difficult, but it's worth it."

A Call for Peace

According to Madi, humanitarian workers themselves live in the same conditions as city residents—without electricity or heat. Nevertheless, they continue to carry out their mission, inspired by the resilience of Ukrainians.

A UNICEF representative emphasized: "The consequences of war on children are colossal, and they are extremely difficult to overcome. This is not just about funding. This is not just about the humanitarian response. This is about one day allowing us all to live in peace for the sake of the children of Ukraine and the entire planet. We hope that day will come. In the meantime, we continue to work."

February 4, 2026

UNICEF: More children are becoming victims of sexually explicit deepfakes

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

February 4, 2026 Human rights

Approximately one in 25 children falls victim to criminals creating sexualized deepfakes. This is the conclusion reached by researchers from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the international organization ECPAT, and Interpol. They conducted a joint study in 11 countries.

At least 1.2 million children reported having their images manipulated and transformed into sexually explicit deepfakes. To highlight the scale of the problem, UNICEF compared it to having a child in every classroom who had been a victim of such a crime.

Deepfakes – photos, videos, or audio files created or manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI) to look or sound like the real thing – are increasingly being used to create sexualized content featuring children.

Children themselves are well aware of this risk. In some countries surveyed, nearly two-thirds of children said they were concerned that AI could be used to create fake sexual images or videos.

UNICEF emphasizes that creating deepfake videos containing sexual content amounts to child abuse. These fake videos and photographs normalize the sexual exploitation of children and fuel demand for violent content.

“UNICEF welcomes the efforts of AI developers who are implementing safe-by-default approaches and robust safeguards to prevent misuse of their systems,” the fund said.

However, many AI models are developed without adequate safety mechanisms. Risks can be exacerbated when generative AI tools are embedded directly into social media platforms, where processed images are quickly shared.

UNICEF calls on all countries to criminalize the creation, acquisition, possession, and distribution of AI-generated content containing sexualized images of children.

AI developers must implement safety-enhancing approaches from the design stage. All digital companies must prevent the dissemination of AI-generated child sexual abuse images, rather than simply removing them after abuse has occurred, UNICEF emphasizes.

February 4, 2026

The UN warns of the expansion of ISIS activities in Africa, Iraq and Syria.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

February 4, 2026 Peace and security

At a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, Alexander Zuev, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, presented the Secretary-General's report on the threat posed by ISIS. He stated that the situation is deteriorating: the group is demonstrating resilience, expanding its presence in some regions, and actively mastering new technologies.

Africa is the epicenter of ISIS's growing influence

Zuev noted that in recent months, ISIS and its affiliated structures “continue to adapt and demonstrate resilience, despite constant counter-terrorism pressure.”

The group is increasing its recruitment of foreign fighters, raising funds through illegal extortion, extortion, and kidnapping, and strengthening its position in Africa—particularly in the Sahel, the western part of the continent, and the Lake Chad Basin. ISIS undermines regional stability and limits states' ability to respond to humanitarian, human rights, and economic challenges.

Syria and Iraq: ISIS activity amid humanitarian crisis

ISIS is active in Iraq and Syria, exploiting the power vacuum and intercommunal tensions. The UN is particularly concerned about the situation in camps in northeastern Syria, where thousands of women and children live without water, food, medical care, or education.

“Thousands of people… continue to live in conditions of insecurity, violence, and a severe shortage of basic services,” Zuev emphasized.

The withdrawal of the Syrian Democratic Forces from the Al-Hol camp on January 21, he said, created additional risks for both security and the humanitarian situation.

New technologies

Zuev also said that terrorist groups are increasingly using cryptocurrency, commercial satellite communications, drones, and artificial intelligence tools, primarily to radicalize the population and recruit online.

"Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used by terrorist groups… in particular, to influence young people and children," Zuev noted.

The UN calls on states to intensify cooperation, including on repatriating citizens from Syrian camps, strengthening regional security mechanisms in Africa, and developing comprehensive strategies to prevent extremism. Zuev reiterated that progress is only possible with respect for international law and human rights.

This year, the General Assembly will conduct the ninth review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. According to Zuev, this is an opportunity for states to "reaffirm their commitment to multilateral efforts" and adapt their approaches to new threats.

February 4, 2026

In January, business activity in Kazakhstan increased to 50.8 points

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 4 (Xinhua) — In January 2026, business activity in Kazakhstan returned to positive growth, reaching 50.8 points, the press service of the National Bank of Kazakhstan (Central Bank) reported on Wednesday.

"The business activity index in December 2025 stood at 49.9 points. According to the regulator, positive growth (in January) was driven primarily by an improvement in the services sector indicator, which stood at 52.1 points. In the previous month, this indicator stood at 49.0 points," the press service reported.

The manufacturing and trade indices remained in the growth zone, reaching 50.8 points and 50.3 points, respectively, compared to December's respective values of 52.0 points and 51.3 points. However, the construction index remained in the decline zone, reaching 47.1 points (45.4 points in December), while the mining index fell to 49.1 points (49.4 points in December).

The highest index value in January was recorded in the Kyzylorda region /58.4 points/, the lowest – in the Zhetysu region /40.1 points/. –0–

February 4, 2026

Iran and the United States will hold indirect talks in Oman on February 6, according to 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

Tehran, February 4 (Xinhua) — Indirect talks between Iran and the United States will take place on February 6 in the Omani capital, Muscat, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, the talks will focus exclusively on Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of US sanctions.

Iran will be represented at the talks by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and the United States by Special Presidential Envoy Steven Witkoff.

The talks come amid continuing high tensions between the two countries over the buildup of the American military presence in West Asia.

The last indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States took place in Rome last May, just weeks before the Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June. –0–

February 4, 2026

Libya's attorney general confirmed the death of Muammar Gaddafi's son.

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

Tripoli, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) — Libya's attorney general's office confirmed early Wednesday that late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, was killed after sustaining fatal gunshot wounds on Tuesday.

In a statement published Wednesday on the Prosecutor General's Office's official social media page, the agency said that after receiving information about the death of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, investigators authorized by the Prosecutor General went to the scene to collect evidence and question witnesses as part of the preliminary investigation.

The statement also stated that on Tuesday, an investigative team, accompanied by forensic experts specializing in firearms, fingerprinting, toxicology, and other fields, conducted forensic activities at the scene. Preliminary results confirmed that the victim suffered fatal gunshot wounds.

Late on Tuesday, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi's political team said he had been killed earlier in the day by four armed men who stormed his residence in the town of Zintan, about 136 kilometers (85 miles) southwest of Tripoli.

Following the NATO-backed uprising of 2011 that ended his father's rule, a Tripoli court sentenced Saif al-Islam Gaddafi to death in absentia in 2015. In 2017, he was released by the militias that controlled Ez-Zintan as part of an amnesty announced by the authorities in eastern Libya.

In November 2021, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi made his first public appearance in years, filing a petition to run as a candidate in the Libyan presidential elections, but was later disqualified by Libya's Supreme National Electoral Commission.

February 4, 2026

More than 100 people have been killed in bandit attacks in central Nigeria, sources say.

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

Abuja, February 4 (Xinhua) — More than 100 people were killed in attacks by unidentified gunmen on two villages in Kwara State, central Nigeria, on Tuesday evening, local sources reported on Wednesday.

According to sources, unmarked gunmen attacked the communities of Woro and Nuku in Kaiama Local Government Area late on Tuesday evening and returned early Wednesday morning, firing indiscriminately at residents and destroying some homes, causing chaos.

A Nigerian Red Cross official told Xinhua that the death toll had risen to approximately 67 earlier in the day, but by Wednesday afternoon it had already surpassed 100 after bandits carried out a second attack, taking advantage of poor road conditions.

Survivors and local hunters began search and rescue operations on Wednesday before state security forces arrived, the official added.

The Kwara State government condemned the attacks the same day, calling them “a desperate response by terrorist groups to ongoing security operations.”

State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured local residents that security forces have been ordered to intensify operations in the area where the attacks took place.

February 4, 2026

China will continue to pay increased attention to the development of Sino-Vietnamese relations – Xi Jinping /more details/

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. 4 (Xinhua) — General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping said China will always pay close attention to the development of China-Vietnam relations.

Xi Jinping made the announcement on Wednesday in Beijing during a meeting with Le Hoai Trung, special envoy of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), To Lam. Le Hoai Trung is also a member of the Politburo of the CPV Central Committee and Vietnam's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

As Xi Jinping noted, the CPC and the CPV maintain a fine tradition of communicating each other's important political agendas, which reflects the special comradely and fraternal friendship between the two countries and the high degree of political mutual trust that exists between them.

The Chinese leader recalled that during his recent telephone conversation with General Secretary To Lam, the two sides had an in-depth discussion on the further progress of building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, which is of strategic importance, and reached an important consensus.

Xi Jinping expressed confidence that under the firm leadership of the CPV Central Committee headed by To Lam, the Party, state and people of Vietnam will certainly achieve all the goals and objectives set at the 14th CPV Congress.

According to the Chinese leader, China and Vietnam have made significant progress in all aspects of socialist construction, demonstrating the vitality and vigor of the socialist system.

China is ready to work with Vietnam to uphold the political principles of long-term stability, forward-looking approach, good-neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation, as well as the spirit of good-neighborliness, friendship, camaraderie and partnership, Xi Jinping added.

He said China hopes to work with Vietnam to implement the high-level agreements reached, continuously develop traditional friendship, deepen exchanges at all levels and cooperation in all fields, properly handle differences, and promote the steady progress of building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future.

Lê Hoài Trung presented Xi Jinping with a letter of thanks in return and a verbal message from To Lam. The special envoy emphasized that Vietnam consistently views strengthening and developing relations with China as a top foreign policy priority and stands ready to move forward hand in hand with China on a new development path.

Guided by the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two parties and two countries, the two sides should further strengthen the political, material and social foundations of bilateral relations and elevate Vietnam-China ties to new heights to bring greater benefits to the peoples of both countries, Le Hoai Trung added.

February 4, 2026

Maria Zakharova congratulated China on the upcoming New Year and commented on our business relations.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

"Firstly, we've always been developing relations with China: both before and after the sanctions, we've done so progressively, and we've always noted that we desperately need to strengthen our economic ties," noted Maria Zakharova, Director of the Department of Information and Press, during a meeting with students at the State University of Management on February 3. "This was a goal that the Russian and Chinese leadership consistently set, stating that while everything was developing well politically, our economy was lacking. Therefore, the goals and objectives that were set long ago have now been achieved and are being fulfilled. This isn't just a matter of opportunism; it's a long-term policy."

The official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted a second point, which follows from the first:

"And who did we compare the level of Russia-China economic and financial relations to? With Sino-Western relations? China is developing relations with the West, and has done so historically: in the 1970s, when the Cold War and the clash of systems were still going on, and in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and is still developing them. It's also subject to Western pressure: tariff wars, unilateral coercive measures, and everything in between, yet it's still developing. Your investors aren't suffering from China's developing relations with the West, so there's nothing to fear."

In conclusion, the diplomat called our relations with China a valuable part of the long-term perspective, which is beneficial for both our side and theirs, assuring that she sees no cause for concern.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: February 4, 2026.