Iran's IRGC to conduct live-fire exercises in the Strait of Hormuz – media

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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

Tehran, January 29 (Xinhua) — Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will conduct live-fire exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on February 1 and 2 amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, Iranian television channel Press TV reported on Thursday on social media.

In its publication, Press TV stated that the exercises would be conducted by the IRGC naval forces, calling the strait "a strategically important point along the route of 20 percent of the world's oil and natural gas supplies."

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced that a "massive armada" led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was heading toward Iran, exceeding the forces previously deployed to Venezuela. The American leader warned Tehran that "time is running out" to reach a deal with the United States.

In response to D. Trump's threats, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote the following in X on the same day: "Our brave armed forces are ready, with their finger on the trigger, to immediately and powerfully respond to any aggression."

Earlier on January 26, Iran promised a "comprehensive" response to any act of aggression that "causes regret." –0–

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China and the UK should develop an "icebreaking spirit" and strengthen cooperation ties, says the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China /more details/

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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

Beijing, January 29 (Xinhua) — China and the United Kingdom should further develop their "icebreaking spirit" and strengthen their cooperative ties. Chinese Premier Li Qiang made this statement Thursday at the closing ceremony of the 2026 China-Britain Business Council meeting in Beijing.

Li Qiang emphasized that this is not only a rational choice for the two countries to address risks and jointly promote development, but also their responsibility as responsible major countries to join forces to solve global problems.

Li Qiang emphasized that China and the UK are important trade and economic partners with a wide range of shared interests. He stated that if both sides respect each other, work toward meeting each other halfway, eliminate barriers, and adhere to openness and cooperation, the countries will be able to achieve win-win results and prosperity through mutual success.

The Premier pointed out that last year, despite mounting economic pressure, China forged ahead with innovation and high-quality development, demonstrating exceptional resilience and vitality in its economy.

Noting that China will launch its 15th Five-Year Plan this year, the Chinese Prime Minister said that in the next five years, the overall size of the Chinese economy will reach a new level, with its structure continuously optimized and new growth drivers expanding, opening up boundless space for Sino-British cooperation.

Noting that the two countries' enterprises have enormous potential, the head of the Chinese government identified four areas on which the parties can focus their efforts.

First, Li Qiang pointed out, the two sides can expand the “new growth” of bilateral trade, in particular by turning trade in services into a new growth area for cooperation.

Secondly, according to the Premier of the State Council, the two sides can create “new engines” of innovative development by taking timely initiatives and mutually expanding each other’s capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, biomedicine, and high-tech manufacturing.

Third, Li Qiang continued, the two sides can explore a “new ocean” of trilateral cooperation and conduct more cooperation in the global market, paying special attention to countries in the South, to achieve mutual and multilateral win-win results.

Fourth, the head of the Chinese government added, the two sides can unleash “new energy” in people-to-people exchanges, develop new brand projects that are popular in both countries, stimulate people-to-people exchanges, and achieve a double benefit in the form of economic value and the rapprochement of peoples.

During the closing ceremony, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is visiting China, emphasized that the purpose of his visit to China is to gain a more comprehensive and deeper understanding of China, as well as to identify and exploit new opportunities for cooperation to bring greater benefits to the British people and support the country's growth and prosperity.

He expressed hope that entrepreneurs and organizations from the two countries would be able to take advantage of the favorable opportunity to establish closer dialogue and cooperation. –0–

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China and the UK should develop an "icebreaking spirit" and strengthen cooperation ties, says Chinese Premier

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Beijing, January 29 (Xinhua) — China and the United Kingdom should further develop their "icebreaking spirit" and strengthen their cooperative ties. Chinese Premier Li Qiang made this statement Thursday at the closing ceremony of the 2026 China-Britain Business Council meeting in Beijing.

Li Qiang emphasized that this is not only a rational choice for the two countries to address risks and jointly promote development, but also their responsibility as responsible major countries to join forces to solve global problems.

Noting that the two countries' enterprises have enormous potential, the head of the Chinese government identified four areas on which the parties can focus their efforts.

First, Li Qiang pointed out, the two sides can expand the “new growth” of bilateral trade, in particular by turning trade in services into a new growth area for cooperation.

Secondly, according to the Premier of the State Council, the two sides can create “new engines” of innovative development by taking timely initiatives and mutually expanding each other’s capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, biomedicine, and high-tech manufacturing.

Third, Li Qiang continued, the two sides can explore a “new ocean” of trilateral cooperation and conduct more cooperation in the global market, paying special attention to countries in the South, to achieve mutual and multilateral win-win results.

Fourth, the head of the Chinese government added, the two sides can unleash “new energy” in humanitarian exchanges, develop new brand projects that are popular in both countries, stimulate people-to-people exchanges, and achieve a double benefit in the form of economic value and the rapprochement of peoples. –0–

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Chips and other electronic components have become the driving force behind digital commerce.

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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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January 29, 2026 Economic development

More than one-eighth of trade revenues come from information and communications technology (ICT), with 80 percent of these products manufactured in Asia. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), electronic components—microchips, circuit boards, and sensors—play a key role in the sector's rapid growth.

Electronic components are an unnoticed but critical part of our daily lives. They are found in smartphones, computers, network centers, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. Their production generates significant added value and influences the economic development of countries. Companies that produce components create more highly skilled jobs and generate sustainable export revenues.

However, the benefits of digital trade are unevenly distributed. Developing countries often have limited capacity, producing only simple components or performing assembly. This prevents them from fully participating in the digital economy. Without investment in technology and skills development, such countries risk remaining on the periphery of global trade.

Trends in services

According to UNCTAD, global trade in information and communications technology services will reach $1.2 trillion in 2024. The sector has seen steady growth since 2017, with demand increasing significantly during the pandemic. COVID-19.

Europe leads the world in ICT services exports (e.g., telecommunications and computer services), accounting for approximately 57 percent of the total market, while Africa and Latin America combined account for less than 3 percent.

Digital products

Trade in goods that can be delivered remotely in digital format, including films, music and books, grew by 10 percent in 2024.

Developed countries accounted for about three-quarters of exports, amounting to approximately $3.8 trillion, while developing countries exported goods worth about $1.2 trillion.

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South Sudan: UN chief concerned about inflammatory rhetoric and expanding military operations

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Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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January 29, 2026 Peace and security

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is deeply concerned about the ongoing escalation of violence in South Sudan, including most recently in Jonglei State, which has resulted in numerous casualties. 180,000 civilians in the state have been forced to flee their homes.

The UN chief is alarmed by inflammatory rhetoric targeting certain communities and the decision to expand military operations, which will only worsen the suffering of civilians.

The Secretary-General is also concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in the country. According to government data, 250,000 civilians fled their homes due to the ongoing conflict in the country in the first few weeks of 2026 alone.

Guterres calls on all parties to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. He also emphasized the need to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and humanitarian workers.

"The Secretary-General calls on the Government of South Sudan and opposition forces to take immediate and decisive action to cease all military operations and de-escalate the situation through inclusive dialogue," said a statement issued on behalf of the UN chief by his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.

Guterres emphasized that the crisis in South Sudan requires a political, not a military, solution. He welcomed the efforts of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to resolve the conflict and called on neighboring countries to more actively support inclusive dialogue.

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Financial news: Annual growth of monetary aggregates slowed in December.

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Source: Central Bank of Russia

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According to the results of December, the annual growth of the money supply in the national definition decreased by 1.8 percentage points, to 10.6%.

This was facilitated by a more even distribution of budget expenditures in 2025 and a slowdown in corporate lending compared to October–November. Consumer lending continued to increase moderately in December, primarily driven by mortgage lending.

Read more in the new issue of the material. "Credit to the Economy and the Money Supply".

Preview photo: Parilov / Shutterstock / Fotodom

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January 29, 2026. 96 Hours Sale: MSC Cruises' Sale! Choose a cruise to Asia, the Mediterranean, or the Persian Gulf at super-affordable prices until February 6, 2026.

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Source: Infoflot Cruise Center – Infoflot Cruise Center –

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Dear friends,

The legendary MSC Cruises cruise sale has been extended until February 6, 2026. Book your winter-spring 2026 cruises now, including those with the included Easy Package.

The promotion includes cruises in popular regions:

The Mediterranean on MSC World Europa and MSC Lirica; the Persian Gulf on MSC Euribia; Asia from Shanghai on MSC Bellissima; the Caribbean; the Canary Islands.

Terms of the "96 Hours" promotion:

100% payment, cabin reservation is valid until the end of the day and cannot be extended; only for new bookings made during the promotional period. Cancellation policy is 100%; subsequent changes to the cruise date (postponement) are considered cancellation; changes to passengers' first or last names are permitted with a €50 fee per person and must not conflict with the main booking conditions; the promotional rate is compatible with discounts for MSC Voyagers Club passengers, but cannot be combined with other offers from the cruise line; the cruise line reserves the right to terminate the promotion early.

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Financial news: 01/29/2026, 18:36 (Moscow time) the values of the lower boundary of the price corridor and the range for assessing market risks for the GLD, XAU, GLDF, GLDW/RUB currency pair were changed.

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Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

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In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the foreign exchange market and the precious metals market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by the National Clearing Center (JSC) on January 29, 2026, 18:36 (Moscow time), the values of the lower boundary of the price corridor (up to RUB 11,904.24 in the TOD settlement mode) and the range of market risk assessment (up to RUB 11,323.1799, equivalent to a rate of 12.2%) for the GLD, XAU, GLDF, GLDW/RUB currency pair were changed. New values are available. Here.

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Marat Khusnullin: Around 10 million square meters of housing were commissioned in the Central Federal District thanks to infrastructure loans.

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

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Projects implemented in Russia using infrastructure budget funds (IBF) and special treasury loans (STL) have a comprehensive impact on the development of the country's regions. Since 2022, the Central Federal District has attracted over 1.3 trillion rubles in extra-budgetary investment through these financial mechanisms, reported Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

"In total, IBC and SCC funds have been approved for 339 projects and activities in the Central Federal District, 245 of which have been completed to date. All of these projects are designed to create comfortable living conditions for residents and also impact regional development. Since 2022, thanks to the completed IBC and SCC projects, approximately 10 million square meters of housing have been commissioned in the Central Federal District, approximately 50,000 jobs have been created, and over 1.3 trillion rubles in extra-budgetary investment has been attracted," said Marat Khusnullin.

Specifically, 171 projects, including 87 housing and utilities facilities, were commissioned in the Central Federal District using infrastructure budget loans. SKK financed the completion of 40 projects and activities, including a biological treatment facility in Sobinka, Vladimir Region, with a capacity of 14,000 cubic meters per day, a 1.5-kilometer road network in Voronezh, and a water supply system in Leninskoye, Moscow Region, with a capacity of 3,500 cubic meters per day.

Project implementation continues. Currently, 80 projects are underway under the IBC program, including 40 housing and communal services facilities, 24 road projects, and 10 social institutions, as well as another 14 projects under the SKK program.

Major projects include the 4-kilometer reconstruction of the A-104 Moscow-Dmitrov-Dubna-Povedniki highway and the reconstruction of a sewer collector in the Leninsky urban district of the Moscow region. Additionally, a road is being built to the village of Ulyankovo along Ostashkovskoye Highway, seven kindergartens and a sports and fitness center are being built in the village of Dobrograd in the Vladimir region, and two schools are being built in the Bryansk and Ryazan regions. Major repairs to the heating network and external water supply systems in the city of Kostroma are ongoing.

In 2025, the Government, at the direction of the President, launched the Treasury Infrastructure Loan (TIL) instrument as a continuation of the IBC program. Regional applications for funds are reviewed at meetings of the Government Commission on Regional Development, chaired by Marat Khusnullin.

Vasily Kupyzin, CEO of the Territorial Development Fund, noted that regions of the Central Federal District received approval for 63.8 billion rubles in KIK funding last year for the construction and renovation of 97 engineering, road, and transport infrastructure facilities.

"In fact, we've already seen the first results of this work. Five projects have been commissioned in the Central Federal District using funds from treasury infrastructure loans. For example, major repairs have been completed on 1.6 km of sewer collector sections in the Vladimir Region. This will improve the quality of public services for 67,000 people. Furthermore, a 1.4 km sewer collector has been built in the Kaluga Region, which is designed to improve the quality of life for 132,500 residents," said Vasily Kupyzin.

The Ministry of Construction oversees the infrastructure loan program, and the Territorial Development Fund participates in the review and implementation of projects.

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Alexander Novak discussed the region's socioeconomic development with the head of North Ossetia, Sergei Menyailo.

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

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Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak met with the head of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Sergei Menyailo.

The parties discussed the region's socioeconomic development objectives, including those related to energy and housing and utilities, as well as the progress of breakthrough projects in the republic.

The regional head reported that five breakthrough projects are being implemented within the republic's economic development model, including the construction of an agro-industrial complex, the creation of a trout farm and new tourist facilities, the construction of a transport and logistics complex, and the Mamison tourist complex, which has already been commissioned.

They also discussed the progress of the government-approved plans for creating social infrastructure in the republic. The list of activities for 2025–2028 includes 49 projects, including six in Beslan, two of which have already been completed: the reconstruction of the Pravoberezhnaya Clinical Hospital outpatient clinic and the improvement of the city park.

The regional governor also reported to the Deputy Prime Minister on the outstanding results of the program for sustainable economic development of energy and housing and utilities companies, which consolidated the assets of key utilities under a single operator. As a result, an efficient utility company was created, payment discipline for utilities was improved, and the housing and utilities infrastructure was upgraded. Specifically, more than 168 units of new, modern equipment were purchased. Last year, more than 50 km of worn-out pipes were replaced throughout the republic, increasing the capacity and reliability of the region's water supply system.

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