Marat Khusnullin: In 50 regions of the country, road paving work under the national project “Infrastructure for Life” has been completed by more than 50%

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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Section of the road Mamrash – Tashkapur – Arakan Bridge, Republic of Dagestan.

In a number of regions, road works under the federal project "Regional and Local Road Network" of the national project "Infrastructure for Life" have reached the equator. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

"In recent years, roads in Russia have been renovated at an accelerated pace. International corridors, expressways, regional and municipal roads are being built, connecting people and accelerating the country's development. The national project "Infrastructure for Life" is responsible for the comprehensive renovation of the road network. Since the beginning of the current road season, the laying of the upper layers of road surfaces in 50 regions of the country under the national project has been completed by more than 50%. The largest volume of work – more than 80% – has been completed in six subjects of the Russian Federation: Sevastopol, St. Petersburg, Belgorod, Penza, Voronezh regions and the Republic of Mari El," said Marat Khusnullin.

In 2025, in accordance with all road activity programs, in order to achieve the indicators of the national project “Infrastructure for Life”, it is planned to repair, reconstruct and build more than 21.1 thousand km of regional and local roads.

"High-quality modern road surfaces are essential for traffic safety and increased comfort for drivers and pedestrians. In 2025, it is planned to renew 152.5 million square meters of asphalt concrete pavement on regional and local roads. To date, about 66 million square meters of top layers of pavement have been installed," said Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin.

Achieving these results was made possible by significant federal support.

"Financing of road activities is an important tool for ensuring sustainable development of transport infrastructure, improving the quality of life of the population and stimulating economic growth in the regions. Thus, this year, over 601 billion rubles have been allocated for the implementation of the activities of the federal project "Regional and Local Road Network", of which about 337 billion rubles are federal budget funds," emphasized Deputy Head of the Federal Road Agency Igor Kostyuchenko.

Thus, in the Penza region, as of the beginning of August 2025, the activities for the installation of asphalt concrete pavement at the national project sites have been completed by 94% of the planned volume. This is 216.2 km of the road network, of which 58.6 km have already been put into operation. In particular, the reconstruction of the bridge over the Shuksha River has been completed, a 6-kilometer section of the Shemysheika – Naskaftym – Novy Machim highway has been repaired, and a section of the Poim – Bashmakovo – Zemetchino highway (7.1 km) has been put into operation. The road is part of the backbone network of the Penza region and connects the Belinsky, Bashmakovsky and Zemetchinsky districts.

The volume of work completed on laying the upper layers of road surfaces in the Mari El Republic has reached 87.4%, which is 533.7 thousand square meters out of the planned 610 thousand square meters. Road works have been completed on one of the longest sites in the region, the Vizim'yary-Yuksary highway. The road leads to socially significant facilities, including the Vizim'yary and Yuksary schools, the district hospital and FAP, as well as kindergartens. In addition, the highway provides access to the federal highway R-177 "Povetluzh'ye". The entire volume of work has been completed on three sites of the street and road network of Yoshkar-Ola: two sections along Leninsky Prospekt and a section on Druzhby Street have been repaired.

In the Kemerovo Region – Kuzbass, 70 km of roads are planned to be repaired under the national project this year. Work has been completed at six sites, with three sections on the regional highways Tomsk – Mariinsk, Altai – Kuzbass, Anzhero-Sudzhensk – Yaya already commissioned. A section of the Tomsk – Mariinsk highway located in the village of Tyumenevo has also been overhauled. In the village of Verkh-Taymenka, on a 10-kilometer section of the regional highway Novosibirsk – Leninsk-Kuznetsky – Kemerovo – Yurga, specialists have updated the road surface, arranged sidewalks and installed 8 bus stops.

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Denis Manturov held a meeting on the development of the building materials industry.

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

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Denis Manturov held a meeting on the development of the building materials industry.

First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov held a meeting on the development of the construction materials industry. The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Finance and other federal executive bodies, major manufacturers, industry associations and unions.

The meeting participants discussed the current state of the construction materials industry, including the cement industry. Currently, four investment projects are being implemented, the launch of which is scheduled for the end of 2026. This will increase production capacity by a total of 2.7 million tons of cement per year. The total investment in the projects will amount to more than 20 billion rubles.

Denis Manturov instructed the Ministry of Construction, together with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, to compare the planned rates of housing construction and implementation of infrastructure projects for the period up to the end of 2026 with the required volumes of cement production, taking into account economic development forecasts. In addition, in order to stabilize the situation on the market and protect the domestic market, the First Deputy Prime Minister instructed to consider the need to return to mandatory certification of each batch of imported products.

During the meeting, the possibilities and prospects for the construction of concrete roads were also considered. Denis Manturov instructed the Ministry of Transport, together with the Ministry of Finance and the industry association Soyuzcement, to calculate the economic efficiency of using cement concrete technologies in road construction.

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The government has reset the standards for mandatory sale of foreign currency earnings by exporters

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

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Document

Resolution of August 14, 2025 No. 1210

For Russian exporters, the amount of mandatory repatriation and sale of foreign currency earnings has been reduced to zero. The decree on this was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

The decision was made in connection with the strengthening and stabilization of the national currency exchange rate, as well as the absence of problems with foreign exchange liquidity.

Previously, the largest Russian exporters were required to deposit at least 40% of foreign currency received under foreign trade contracts into their accounts in authorized banks and sell at least 90% of the deposited currency on the domestic market.

The requirement for mandatory repatriation and sale of foreign currency earnings was introduced by a presidential decree in October 2023 to ensure exchange rate stability and the sustainability of the Russian financial market. It applies to exporters working in the fuel and energy complex, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, chemical and forestry industries, and grain farming.

The signed document introduces changes toResolution of May 22, 2025 No. 698.

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Foreign Ministers of China, Cambodia and Thailand held tea in Anning, Yunnan Province, China

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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, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday invited Cambodian Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon and Thai Foreign Minister Marit Sangyampong to have tea together in Anning, southwest China's Yunnan Province. In a harmonious atmosphere, the two sides had a friendly and frank discussion on the border situation between Cambodia and Thailand.

Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said neither Cambodia nor Thailand wants border conflicts to continue, and both sides are willing to resume dialogue and improve relations. He added that the upcoming Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Lancang-Mekong Cooperation in Anning provides an opportunity to achieve these goals.

He also noted that the very name of the city of Anning in Chinese means peace, harmony and friendship, and expressed hope that representatives of Cambodia and Thailand will jointly voice a “call for peace” in Anning.

Wang Yi stressed that China supports Cambodia and Thailand in maintaining communication and dialogue, eliminating misunderstandings, restoring mutual trust, and resuming normal exchanges and cooperation. He expressed China's readiness to promote the comprehensive implementation of the agreements reached at the extraordinary meeting of the General Committee on Boundary Issues and the urgent strengthening of the ceasefire.

The Chinese Foreign Minister pointed out that China also supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in playing its proper role and settling issues "in the ASEAN way", and supports both sides in meeting the needs of the two peoples and opening border ports as soon as possible.

China is willing to provide support and assistance for demining and other work in the border areas of Cambodia and Thailand in accordance with the will of both sides, he said. Wang added that Cambodia and Thailand are eternal neighbors and brothers, and expressed confidence that the two sides can properly handle specific disputes and jointly respond to various global challenges.

Wang Yi stressed that this will certainly be welcomed by the peoples of both countries and also meets the common expectations of the countries in the region.

The Foreign Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand sincerely thanked China for providing the opportunity for communication between the two sides and highly appreciated China's constructive role in easing the situation and promoting dialogue.

The parties emphasized the value of peace and the importance of good neighborliness, confirmed their readiness to actively implement the ceasefire agreement, fully utilize the dialogue mechanism and resolve disputes by peaceful means. –0–

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38 killed, 62 injured in heavy rain in Indian-controlled Kashmir

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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

NEW DELHI, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) — At least 38 people were killed and 62 injured in heavy rain in Indian-administered Kashmir on Thursday, Indian officials said.

The disaster hit Chositi village in Kishtwar district, about 290 km southeast of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-administered Kashmir.

According to officials, heavy rainfall triggered flash flooding, which caused widespread destruction in the village. The floodwaters washed away several buildings, including a community canteen, shops and a guard post.

"As of now, 38 people have been confirmed dead," Kishtwar district deputy commissioner Pankaj Sharma told Xinhua. "Rescue operations are ongoing."

Authorities have deployed police and disaster response personnel to the scene to carry out rescue operations in the area.

“According to our information, 62 people were rescued with injuries,” a police officer said. –0–

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K. Starmer and V. Zelensky discussed expectations from the meeting of the US and Russian presidents in London

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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

LONDON, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street in London on Thursday, the Prime Minister's Office said.

According to an official statement, the leaders of the two countries discussed online meetings held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as the upcoming summit of US and Russian Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15.

“The parties agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days,” the statement said, highlighting their expectations for the Alaska talks.

According to a message from V. Zelensky published on Thursday in Telegram, Ukraine and Great Britain agreed on their positions and exchanged views on the prospects for the upcoming meeting in Alaska.

V. Zelensky said that he discussed expectations from the upcoming US-Russian summit with K. Starmer.

The two leaders also discussed in detail possible security guarantees for Ukraine that could ensure a lasting peace agreement if a ceasefire is reached, the publication reports. –0–

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Israeli Mossad Chief Visits Qatar

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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

JERUSALEM, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) — Israeli Mossad chief David Barnea visited Doha on Thursday to hold talks with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani over the Gaza hostage deal, Israeli state-run Kan TV reported.

According to a senior Israeli source, D. Barnea informed the Qatari prime minister that a phased agreement to release 50 hostages held in Gaza was “no longer on the table.”

The source clarified that the meeting was devoted to “issues related to the activities of Mossad and did not concern the resumption of indirect negotiations in Doha, the last of which took place in early July.

Barnea's visit comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on August 12 that efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza were now focused on reaching a comprehensive agreement that would simultaneously release all remaining hostages. Previous agreements had included a temporary ceasefire in exchange for a phased release of hostages.

The visit also follows reports of a delegation from the Palestinian Hamas movement arriving in Qatar earlier this week in an attempt to restart talks and prevent Israel from further escalating its offensive in Gaza.

The total number of Palestinians killed since the current round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict began in October 2023 has reached 61,776, according to official statistics from Gaza's health authorities. Four more died from starvation and exhaustion, bringing the total number of deaths due to starvation to 239, including 106 children. –0–

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China urges Japan to exercise restraint on Taiwan issue – Chinese Foreign Ministry

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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, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) — China urges Japan to deeply reflect on history, learn from it, exercise restraint on the Taiwan issue, refrain from undermining China's sovereignty in any form, and avoid sending wrong signals to separatist forces advocating "Taiwan independence," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Thursday.

Lin Jian made the statement in response to media reports that, according to the Japanese government, Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Jun had cancelled his planned visit to Japan, as well as analysts who linked the move to a visit to Japan by the head of Taiwan's so-called Foreign Affairs Department, Lin Jialong.

"As for the specific reasons for the postponement of Minister Han Jun's visit to Japan, you should contact the relevant departments," Lin Jian said, adding that China remains open to maintaining contacts with Japan at various levels.

The official said that if the Japanese side really intends to establish contacts with China, it should take concrete actions to actually adhere to the one-China principle, uphold the political foundation of China-Japan relations, implement the spirit of the four China-Japan political documents and the statement on comprehensively advancing the strategic and mutually beneficial China-Japan relations, rather than saying one thing and doing another.

Commenting on Lin Jialong's visit to Japan, Lin Jian stressed that by allowing him to make the so-called "personal trip," Japan had actually provided a platform for separatist activities by forces advocating for "Taiwan independence," grossly violated the fundamental norms of international relations and the principles of the four Sino-Japanese political documents, and sent an extremely wrong signal. –0–

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China, India maintain close contacts to facilitate resumption of direct flights: Chinese Foreign Ministry

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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, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) — China has been in close communication with India for some time to promote the early resumption of direct flights between the two countries, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Thursday.

The diplomat made the statement while commenting on reports that India and China intend to resume direct flights next month and that the Indian government has instructed local airlines to prepare flights to China as soon as possible.

Lin Jian noted that the combined population of China and India is more than 2.8 billion. Resuming direct flights between the interior of China and India, he added, will facilitate people-to-people travel, as well as exchanges and cooperation.

Asked to comment on the positive dynamics of China-India relations and the two countries' cooperation in the international arena, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that "dancing together as a dragon and an elephant" as partners to promote mutual success is the right choice for both sides, as both China and India are major developing countries and important members of the Global South.

Lin Jian stressed that China is willing to work with India to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, steadily enhance political mutual trust, expand exchanges and cooperation, properly handle differences based on the overall picture of relations, and strengthen communication and coordination within multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, so as to promote the healthy and stable development of China-India relations. –0–

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V. Putin and D. Trump will not sign documents following the summit in Alaska – press secretary of the Russian president

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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

Moscow, August 14 /Xinhua/ — No documents are expected to be signed following the Russian-American summit in Alaska, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.

"No, it is not expected, nothing has been prepared," D. Peskov told journalists, answering the question of whether any document would be signed following the summit of the leaders of Russia and the United States. The press secretary of the Russian president urged not to try to predict the outcome of the upcoming negotiations.

“For now, of course, it would be a big mistake to rush ahead, to try to get ahead of ourselves and to try to predict the outcome,” noted D. Peskov.

“Considering that there will be a joint press conference, the president will, of course, outline the range of agreements and understandings that can be reached,” he added.

According to D. Peskov, the Ukrainian conflict is currently being discussed between the Russian Federation and the United States, and Ukraine’s opinion may be discussed at subsequent stages.

Vladimir Putin's talks with US President Donald Trump will take place in Alaska at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Anchorage on August 15.

The central theme of the meeting, as the Kremlin reported, will be the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. The leaders of Russia and the United States will also discuss bilateral cooperation in the economic sphere and issues of global security. –0–

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